New wines characterised by their low alcohol and extraordinary polyphenolic content

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in wines with lower alcohol content. This trend is driven by a number of factors, including consumer preferences for lighter, more refreshing styles of wine, and the desire to enjoy wine without the effects of high alcohol levels. This study is an extension of a previous article, which shows the main scientific advances in new grape varieties descending from Monastrell. The current one focuses on the results obtained after traditional elaboration of these new varieties (T4, T11, T75, T81 and T82) in comparison to Monastrell. The new varieties analysed showed a really high content of phenolic compounds analysed by spectrophotometric parameters. Some wines of these new varieties have reached up to 120 total polyphenol index (T82). Furthermore, the results show really very high colour intensity parameters compared to the control (Monastrell), multiplying these values by four (as in the case of T81). It should also be noted that the wines of these new varieties have a high ageing capacity. As for the phenolic parameters, they were characterised by really high concentrations of anthocyanins (T81) even exceeding 2000 mg/L, flavonols (especially the T81 and T82 varieties), and tannins (T11 variety), all achieved with significantly lower alcohol levels. These varieties reveals a great ability to adaptation in hot and dry climates and being an accurate way to confront climate change, being a real tool to obtain quality wines.