Differentiation among brazilian wine regions based on lead isotopic data

Abstract

For the first time, the isotope ratio of lead is reported in Brazilian red wines. The lead concentration and the ratios of204 Pb/206 Pb,207 Pb/206 Pb and208 Pb/ 206 Pb were determined in 94 red wines produced in Campanha Gaúcha, Serra Gaúcha, Vale dos Vinhedos in Southern Brazil and Vale do São Francisco in Northeastern Brazil. The values observed for the isotopic ratios were consistent with those reported in the literature for wines of South America. The lead isotopic ratios showed no statistically significant differences among the vineyards of the Southern region; on the other hand, the vineyard from the Northeastern region showed large variations in its ratios. The204 Pb/206 Pb ratio data demonstrated that the wines of the Southern region have radiogenic features, whereas the wines of the Northeastern region ranged from slightly to very radiogenic. These results indicated that the lead concentrations in the wines from these Brazilian regions are influenced both by agricultural practices and by natural occurrences. Isotope ratios allowed for differentiation among the wines produced in these two important wine producing areas in Brazil and are emerging as a promising tool in the study of the geographical origin of Brazilian wines.