Determination of benzothiazole in grapes and wines

Abstract

Benzothiazole was measured in grapes from Muscat Lefko vines from the Isle of Samos and in Muscat d'Alexandrie vines from the Isle of Lemnos. Differences were noted in regard to altitude, soil composition and exposure, and in the corresponding wines. This compound was also determined in grapes of ten other white grapevines cultivated in Greece, and in their corresponding wines. The results show the presence of benzothiazole in all of the grapes examined, and that it might have been formed during the maturation of the grape. The levels of benzothiazole varied from 0.8 to 6.1 mug/l; this was always below the threshold of perception.