Biological aging status characterization of Sherry type wines using statistical and oenological criteria

20 chemical compounds were quantified in wines from 6 different biological aging statuses in an industrial criadera system. A Conglomerated Analysis (CA) realized with 7 selected compounds allowed the differentiation of wines according to their aging. By a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) the 6 most discriminant compounds were identified and a correct classification of 100% of wine samples was achieved. The wine aging time can be calculated by a 3 compound equation obtained by Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA). The last two models were applied to wines with unknown aging time and their results related obtaining a R = 0.958. A kinetic model, based in the glycerol content evolution, allows the calculation of the required time to achieve the specific concentration of a status and the glycerol concentration after a known aging time. These models can help to protect the quality of wines elaborated by the traditional biological aging system. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.