Development of volatile compounds of cava (Spanish sparkling wine) during long ageing time in contact with lees

In order to study the evolution of volatile compounds during long ageing times in contact with lees (more than 2 years), Headspace–solid phase microextraction (HS/SPME) method was applied to different cavas (Spanish Sparkling wine). Two different fiber coatings were used: PDMS which extracts the analytes by partitioning and DVB–CAR–PDMS which extracts either by partitioning or physically trapped the target compounds. Even though the volatile profile obtained by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was similar, the triple phase seems to be more suitable to follow the development of the volatile profile during its ageing time. Hexyl, 2-phenylethyl and isoamyl acetates significantly decrease over time, while 1,2-dihydro-1,1,6-trimethylnaphthalene (TDN), vitispirane and diethyl succinate significantly increase during ageing in contact with lees.