In order to evaluate the potential aroma of some Portuguese grapes, several glycosidically bound aroma compounds of ten grape varieties grown in Evora, Alentejo, Portugal, were released, identified and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry. White varieties were Arinto, Perrum, Rabo-de-Ovelha, Roupeiro and Antio Vaz. Red varieties were Trincadeira, Aragonez, Tinta Caiada, Moreto and Castelao. Grapes of Roupeiro and Trincadeira from five other vines in the Alentejo region were also studied. For each variety pulp and skin were analyzed separately. The compounds produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of glycoside precursors extracted from pulps and skins of these grapes were similar to the ones appearing in the so-called 'aromatic' varieties; however, the amounts found were significantly lower. These results seem to show the neutral characteristic of these grapes to indicate that each variety has a distinctive profile regarding compounds from the linalool class. The ratios of trans: cis forms of some linalool compounds remain the same in all samples of Roupeiro and Trincadeira, regardless their origin. In Trincadeira grapes no linalool was detected. Skins are always richer than pulps. The acid hydrolysis of norisoprenoid aglycons produced highly odorant compounds previously described in grape varieties. Although some differences between varieties could be detected, the red grapes Aragonez and Castelao are richer in vitispiranes while Moreto, Trincadeira and Tinta Caiada are richer in actinidols; in white grapes, only Roupeiro and Perrum show detectable amounts of vitispiranes. These results need further investigation and analysis to be considered as a statement and should be confirmed in an extended study. (c) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry.
