High-resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics of grape chemical markers to reveal use of not-allowed varieties in the production of Amarone and Recioto wines

Introduction Grape varieties allowed to produce Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto DOCG wines are strictly regulated by their disciplinary of production. These are Corvina Veronese and Corvinone grapes, to a lesser extent also Rondinella can be used. The use of other varieties, is not allowed. Objectives To identify chemical markers suitable to reveal addition of two not allowed grape varieties to the Corvina/Corvinone blend, such as Primitivo or Negro Amaro. Methods The identification of the secondary metabolites of the four grape varieties was conducted by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) metabolomics. By using the signals of these metabolites the indexes able to identify the presence of Primitivo or Negro Amaro grapes in the Corvina/Corvinone 1:1 blend were calculated. Results Indexes of laricitrin (Lr), delphinidin (Dp), and petunidin (Pt) signals were effective to identify the use of 10% Primitivo, while alpha-terpineol pentosyl-hexoside and linalool pentosyl-hexoside reveal the presence of Negro Amaro in the grape blend. Conclusions Varietal markers useful to detect the presence of Primitivo and Negro Amaro in the grape blend were identified by HRMS metabolomics, a method suitable to check the identity of grapes on arrival at the winery, as well as the fermenting musts. The effectiveness of the identified markers in the final wines have to be confirmed. Potentially, a similar approach can be used to reveal analogous frauds performed on other high-quality wines.