THE STABLE-ISOTOPE-RATIO OF O-18 AND O-16 AS A MEAN TO EVALUATE FOREIGN WINE

The relation of the stabile isotopes O-18/O-16 was determined as devia tion from an internationally accepted standard (Delta-value in per mil .; standard SMOW) with SIRA in 359 wines of Tunis, Portugal, Greece, I taly, Spain and Hungary. The determined relation is primary influenced by the geographical latitude of the wine region. The influence of the year and the climatic effect of certain areas increases from the sout h to the north. The results of individual climatical homogeneous areas are combined. They can serve as provisional base of knowledge in orde r to indicate the addition of water and false declarations of the orig in of wines. Furthermore, information is given about the Delta-values of the ground-water of different regions, which are completely negativ e. Examples were given how to quantify the addition of water by using the Delta-values of authentic wines and ground-water. Some examples fo r falsification of wines are described. What ist further needed for us ing the O-18/O-16-ratio in the routine analysis of wines is discussed.