Use of ISO 5495:2009 to Determine Sensory Preferences of Consumers of Spanish Red Wines with Designation of Origin

Abstract

Spain has 90 wines authorized as belonging to a protected designation of origin (DO). Accordingly, all wines produced in the same DO will have very similar characteristics, and, in turn, these characteristics will be different from those present in wines produced in other geographical areas. The aim of this study was to determine the preferences of a sample of consumers for Spanish red wines from different DOs. To this end, we used ISO 5495:2009 to determine consumer preference for Spanish red wines with a DO. Our tests showed that there was no specific criterion for choice of one DO over another, other than criteria based merely on marketing or historical tradition. The preferred DOs were those mainly located in northern Spain, compared with other more southern DOs. We did not find any links to other factors possibly affecting consumer preference. Our study sheds light on the preferences of a sample of tasters considered representative of the Spanish consumer of this type of wine and identified the criteria that prompt consumers to choose one wine over another. These findings would be of importance for wine exports to Spain.