INVESTIGATIONS ON THE STEREOISOMERS OF 2,3-BUTANDIOL

193 wines from foreign countries were investigated on the stereoisomers (S,S)-, (R,R)- and meso (R,S)-2,3-butanediol. Of main interest was the L(+), (S,S)-enantiomere that was stereodifferentiated with GC-analysis on chiral phases. The percentage of the (S,S)-form of the entire 2,3-butanediol in wine was found to be maximally 3,3 per cent. More than 70 per cent of the wines are ranging from not detectible to 0,7 per cent. Products with a low malate-decomposition (lactic acid content up to 0,5 per cent) mainly show values under 0,3 per cent (S,S)-2,3-butanediol, products with a strong malate-decomposition (content of lactic acid higher than 1,6 g/1) mostly show more than 0,7 per cent. Wines from foreign countries not belonging to the EC with quality levels similar to predicates more often but not generally show an increased content in (S,S)-2,3-butanediol. With increasing age of maturity und a cover of yeast (3 months up to 5 years) in the case of fine sherry the part of the (S,S)-enantiomere continually increases, same as the meso-form, while the (R,R)-2,3-butanediol is correspondingly decreasing.