Volatile fraction of young Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Catarina State, a new terroir in Brazil

A total of 52 volatile compounds were measured in varietal Cabernet Sauvignon wines from four sites in Santa Catarina State (Brazil), over two consecutive vintages (2004 and 2005). Concentrations were measured by gas chromatography using FID, FPD and mass spectrometry as detectors. Principal Component Analysis of the concentrations of the varietal compounds showed a strong dependence on the characteristics of the soil in the vineyards (p<0.05). In contrast, little differentiation of the fermentative aromatic compounds was found in each vintage at all the sites. The levels of α- ionone (violet note) and β-ionone (violet, berry notes) were inversely related. ß-ionone was found above its threshold concentration (90 ng/l) in all samples except Bom Retiro 2004 vintage. α-Ionone was found to be well below its threshold concentration (400 ng/l) in all the samples. Only the Bom Retiro wines have higher concentrations of α- ionone than β-ionone, in both vintages. This indicates that these compounds can be markers for differentiating these Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The vineyard soils were classified as Inceptisols (for São Joaquim A, São Joaquim B, Bom Retiro vineyards) and as Oxisols (for Videira vineyard), according to U.S.D.A. classification of soil taxonomy.