Correlations between South African Red Grape and Wine Colour and Phenolic Composition: Comparing the Glories, Iland and Bovine Serum Albumin Tannin Precipitation Methods

  • W.J. du Toit Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Private Bag X1, 7620 Matieland (Stellenbosch), South Africa
  • M. Visagie Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Private Bag X1, 7620 Matieland (Stellenbosch), South Africa

Abstract

Phenolic compounds in red grapes might give an indication of phenolic and colour compositions of
the resulting wine. This work compared the Glories, Iland and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) tannin
precipitation methods for phenolic characterization of South African Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz and
Cabernet Sauvignon red grape samples (n=31). Significant positive correlations were found for certain
phenolic characteristics in the grapes measured by these methods. Levels of phenolic compounds in the
grapes and correlating wines were in line with literature. Merlot samples often associated more with higher
concentrations of seed tannins, which were also reflected in the wines. Significant correlations were also
found with the colour characteristics of the resulting wines and some anthocyanin related measurements
in the grapes with the Glories and Iland methods, with the latter correlating slightly better. Significant
positive correlations were also found between grape and wine tannins as measured with the BSA method.
However, malolactic fermentation changed some of these correlations and this needs to be investigated
further. This work might give wine producers as well as wine analyses laboratories valuable information
regarding the suitability of these methods to characterize the phenolic composition of South African red
grapes and their resulting wines.

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Published
2016-11-15
Section
Articles