Comparison of aromatic composition of an endangered variety ('Albilla Dorada') with other recognized aromatic varieties

Abstract

'Albilla Dorada' is a local and endangered grape variety. It was correctly identified beforehand by analysing six microsatellite regions recommended by the GENRES 081 project plus six other additional regions, resulting in one new genotype not described for any variety according to the literature consulted. The object of this paper is to characterize the aromatic composition of this grape vine genotype not previously described. The minority volatile compounds in the grapes were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and compared with those of eight known aromatic cultivars: 'Albillo Real', 'Macabeo', 'Malvasía Aromática', 'Gewürztraminer', 'Viognier', 'Malvasía Riojana', 'Riesling' and 'Moscatel de Grano Menudo'. Statistically significant differences between varieties were found as regards the different fractions making up the aromatic composition. 'Albilla Dorada' differed from the rest in that it had higher proportions of alcohols, benzene alcohols and norisoprenoids. In the case of the terpene fraction, it was the variety with the highest proportions of citronellol and terpene hydroxides. Results of this work point out 'Albilla Dorada' is a variety with a singular aromatic identity and highlight the necessity of recovering it before its total disappearance.