Study of the effects of climatic conditions on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Austrian and Montenegrin red wines

Abstract

We evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of 30 red wines from Austria (cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon, Blaufraenkisch and Zweigelt) and 20 wines from Montenegro (cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon and Vranac) from three consecutive vintages: 2014, 2015 and 2016. We determined spectrophotometrically the contents of total phenol (TP), total anthocyanin (TA) and low- and high-molecular-weight proanthocyanidins (LMP and HMP respectively). We identified and quantified 18 phenolic compounds (hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, stilbenes and flavan-3-ols) by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, we used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for chemical analyses of the main wine parameters. Austrian autochthonous wines exhibited a similar chemical composition (alcohol 12.4 vol%, pH 3.38). Blaufraenkisch wines showed higher TP, HMP and LMP than Zweigelt wines; however, TA content was similar. Blaufraenkisch wines also showed higher phenolic acid, flavan-3-ol and stilbene contents than Zweigelt wines. Montenegrin autochthonous Vranac wines showed a typical chemical composition (alcohol 13.0 vol%, pH 3.42), and medium to high levels of phenols: TP, HMP, LMP, TA, HCA and flavan-3-ols. On the other hand, they showed a moderate stilbene content. Cabernet-Sauvignon wines from Austria and Montenegro exhibited some similarities in phenolic composition: TP, HMP, LMP and TA. There were notable variations in the phenolic acid and flavan-3-ol contents, especially the stilbene content, which was much higher in the Austrian wines than in the Montenegrin wines. These findings evidence an important impact of climatic conditions on these compounds. The antioxidant activity in all investigated wines was high and correlated strongly with TP, total phenol index, HMP and LMP in wines. The vintage influenced the chemical composition and content of all examined phenolic groups, except flavan-3-ols. Wines from the vintage with the best maturity (2015) contained the highest content of spectrophotometrically determined phenolic compounds and lowest level of phenolic acids and stilbenes. Principle component analysis showed that wines were mainly discriminated by variety and origin but not by vintage.

Targeted analysis for the detection of phenolics and authentication of Albanian wines using LC-DAD/ESI–MS/MS combined with chemometric tools

“…Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced in grape berries, and their content is significantly affected by oenological and storage practices, which play essential roles in determining the aroma, color, bitterness, and astringency of wine [ 7 , 8 , 9 ,][10]] [][ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] ][]. Studies have shown that grape variety and vintage significantly affect wine phenolic content and profile [ 7 , 11 ,][12]] [][ [7] , [11] , [12] ][]. Chemically, they are grouped into two broad classes: nonflavonoids and flavonoids, with the first class comprising hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, stilbenes, and volatile phenols.…”