Extract: Why should wine producers be concerned about biogenic amines? Indication/perception there may be sanitation problems. Many wine importers in the European Union are requiring analysis of biogenic amines on import documents. At this time, importers consider presence of biogenic amines an indicator of poor sanitation. Proposed regulations will include biogenic amines under the classification of allergens.
Surveyed 284 wines from California, Oregon and Washington.
Histamine ranged from <1 ppm to 72 ppm, 49 wines >10.
135 out of 284 samples had total biogenic amine >10 ppm.
232 out of 284 samples had total biogenic amines >1 ppm