ABSTRACT
This study was carried out in order to evaluate the phenolic and industrial ripeness of Merlot grapes produced in the “Campanha Gaúcha” and “Serra Gaúcha” regions, RS, and evaluate the correlation, if any, between the phenolic potential estimated in Merlot grapes and the phenolic composition of the resulting wines. The results showed that the industrial and the phenolic maturity had a great variability among the vineyards studied; the grape ripeness degree, analyzed by %IMC, has an influence in the amount of total phenols and tannins in the resulting wine. The analysis of grape phenolic’s potential is related to the content of polyphenols, the percentage of color due to polymeric pigments and the procyanidins content in the future wines, making it a useful tool for the decision of the best time of harvest. The color intensity, the anthocyanin content and the percentage of color due polymeric anthocaynins in the wines and the grape total phenolic content were the main parameters that allowed to distinguish the wines and grapes studied.
Index terms
phenolic ripennes; color; anthocyanins; procyanidins; industrial rippeness
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