Effects of Sewage Sludge Compost on Volatile Organic Compounds of Wine from Vitis vinifera cv. Red Grenache

The effect of one application of sewage sludge compost at three rates on the volatile organic compound (VOC) composition of Vitis vinifera cv. Red Grenache wines of two vintages (1999 and 2000) was investigated. After analyzing the 12 major VOC by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry, results showed significant differences in wine VOC concentrations among the treatments. The first year, application of high rates of sewage sludge compost decreased the total VOC concentrations of wines, especially concentrations of ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, 3-methylbutyl acetate, and ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, which contribute to wine quality. The second year, organoleptic qualities were only slightly distinguished in wines from the different treatments.