Abstract
The volatile composition of Pinot Blanc wines from South Tyrol (Italy) was investigated using a mono-dimensional GC and a two-dimensional GC system equipped with an easyto-use diverting flow modulator (only injection time and modulation period must be set). Pinot Blanc wines were produced using two different winemaking protocols and were characterized after nine months of storage in bottles. To extract volatile compounds from wine a headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) using a divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fibre was applied in manual and automatic injection modes. Different combinations of stationary phases (high, mid and low polarity) were tested in instruments coupled with a quadrupole MS or a TOF MS. The results were compared in terms of reproducibility and signal-to-noise to establish guidelines for an improved characterization of the volatile composition of white wines intended for a routine analytical application. The profile of volatile compounds allowed the discrimination of the two different vinifications used for Pinot Blanc wines.