Classification of monovarietal Argentinean white wines by their elemental profile

The possibility of acquire a chemometric model to classify Argentinean white wines according to their provenance through elemental profile was assessed. A simple method for multielement determination in wines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry along with chemometric pattern-recognition techniques is proposed. A total of 57 white wine samples of the main varieties from four winegrowing regions of Argentina: Mendoza, Rio Negro, San Juan, and Salta, were evaluated. The results of principal component analysis explained 95.95% of the variance data total. Linear discriminant analysis allowed correct discrimination according to the four geographical regions evaluated, using only five ultratrace elements (Ba, As, Pb, Mo, and Co). Discrimination rates higher than 96% for prediction and validation data sets were reached. The outcomes emphasize the skillfulness of ICPMS elemental determination in combination with chemometrics, for classification of white wine and show that could be a trustworthy technique to validate the geographical origin, authenticity and quality control of wines.