Determination of methanol and fusel oils in various types of wines distributed in Korea

The contents of methanol and fusel oils in various types of wines were determined using headspace-gas chromatography (HS-GC). The HS-GC analysis method showed good linearity, high precision and accuracy, and low LOQ and LOD values. The methanol content in 289 types of wines ranged from not detected (ND) to 333.84 mg/kg, and was higher in Korean grape wines than in imported grape wines. Among fusel oils, the contents of 1-propanol (23.61-84.23 mg/kg) and isobutanol (34.98-111.39 mg/kg) were slightly higher in Korean wild grape wines, whereas that of isobutanol (ND to 55.26 mg/kg) was slightly lower in Korean black raspberry wine than in the other wines. The contents of amyl alcohol were lower in Korean plum wine and Korean black raspberry wine than in all of the wines included in the present study, and highest in imported grape wines.