NMR identification of ethyl-linked anthocyanin–flavanol pigments formed in model wine ferments

The ethyl-linked pigments produced by the reaction between either catechin or epicatechin and malvidin 3-O-glucoside with added acetaldehyde have been isolated and characterised by NMR spectroscopy. These pigments are generated in high concentrations in model fermentations containing added malvidin 3-O-glucoside and (epi)catechin when inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. This confirms that these pigments are produced during fermentation from metabolically produced acetaldehyde and provides evidence that the formation of these pigments may be a significant contributor to the purple colouration of young red wines.