DNA-Based Methods for Wine Traceability and Varietal Authentication Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping Assays

The final characteristics of a wine are strongly influenced by must varietal composition. Further, wine quality and value can be heavily modified if grape varieties other than those expected/allowed are used, especially in the case of monovarietal wines. Thus, genetic traceability is an important tool used to protect the authenticity of commercial wines against fraud. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a promising molecular marker class to reach this aim in wines. In this chapter, we have reported a DNA extraction protocol and SNP TaqMan® genotyping assays for varietal identification and wine authentication, developed for Vitis vinifera L. ‘Nebbiolo’ musts and wines.