Trace and ultra-trace elements as indicators of grape geographical origin: A case study in the Euganean hills (Italy)

This study investigates the feasibility of using trace elements as indicators of geographical grape authenticity. Focusing on the Euganean Hills, a region known for its diverse soil types due to heterogeneous lithology, we collected various soil and grape samples. These samples were analyzed for their elemental composition using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). First of all, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct groupings of soil samples based on lithological origin and their corresponding elemental composition in grapes. In addition, our findings demonstrate that the inorganic fraction of grapes is more significantly influenced by soil type than by grape cultivar. Finally, Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other trace elements emerged as effective geochemical markers, reflecting vineyard soil characteristics and aiding in grape traceability and authenticity. This research suggests that geochemical fingerprinting can be a reliable method for tracing grape geographical origin, a crucial aspect in combating fraud and ensuring the authenticity of high-quality grape products. Future studies could expand this research by exploring additional regions and incorporating a broader range of grape varieties.