Phenolic characterisation of red grapes autochthonous to Andalusia

Twenty six phenolic compounds in wine grapes were identified and quantified in five winegrape varieties using the complementary information from high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and fluorescence detectors, and mass spectrometry in both positive and negative mode. Fourteen different anthocyanins were identified in these grapes. In all varieties, malvidin-3-glucoside and its derivatives, mainly p-coumaroyl derivatives, were the major compounds. Seven flavonols were detected, most as quercetin and myricetin derivatives, and few qualitative differences were found among varieties. Total hydroxycinnamic content was rather low in all varieties. Lastly, catechin and epicatechin were detected in both skin and seed; differences in respect of the content in the seeds can be attributed to differences in the number and weight of seed per berry in each variety. The results of the characterisation can be used to select winemaking techniques aimed at improving the quality of the final wine.