Analysis of major metallic elements in Chilean wines by Atomic spectroscopy

A set of 75 wine samples from seven of the major wine producing regions in Chile were analyzed with flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to determine their content of major metallic elements (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe and Zn). The results obtained were further analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA) in an attempt to loosely discriminate these wines according to grape type and geographical origin. The metal concentrations measured were within normal ranges, according to previously published data from other wine producing countries. Multivariate statistics allowed the possibility to reasonably discriminate between red and white wines, and to show a distinctive pattern of Na concentration, with higher total contents for the wines produced in the northern parts of the country.