WINES CARACTERISATION OF EIGHT MINORITY PORTUGUESE GRAPEVINE VARIETIES

Abstract

The richness of the viticultural genetic heritage in Portugal leads to consider it as one of the European countries with the highest density of native varieties, although about 85 % of these varieties only occupy approximately 10 % of the total vineyard area. Despite the preservation of these very little cultivated varieties, which are called minority varieties, being practically guaranteed in ampelographic collections, their valorization and dissemination by the wine sector is necessary. This work was focused on preliminary studies of the physicochemical, anthocyanic, and sensory characterisation of wines produced in two harvests, from four white and four red grapevine varieties. For the wines of the red grapevine varieties, the physicochemical characterisation also included the study of the anthocyanins profile, as well as the determination of total anthocyanins and total polyphenols contents. The results obtained showed differentiation of wines from the two vintages. In addition, higher sensory global scores for the white wines from 'Galego Dourado' and 'Códega do Larinho' varieties and for the red wines from 'Malvasia Preta' and 'Cornifesto' varieties were observed. It was also found that the wines from 'Cornifesto' and 'Malvasia Preta' varieties presented the highest levels of anthocyanins, and the wines from 'Tinta Negra' and 'Malvasia Preta' varieties were richer in total polyphenols. It should be highlighted that the total polyphenols content of the wines from the same variety were identical or very similar in the two harvests. However, further studies are needed for a more robust characterisation of the wines from these grapevine varieties.