Phenolic characterization of some native varieties of grapes and wines from Southern Italy

An investigation concerning phenolic fraction of some varieties of grapes and relative wines, from Southern Italy was carried out. For this purpose, the low molecular weight phenols of 'Aglianico', 'Negroamaro', 'Bombino Nero', 'Uva di Troia', 'Gaglioppo' and 'Primitivo' were analyzed by RP-HPLC and monitored at 280 nm (catechins and proanthocyanins), 350 nm (benzoic and cinnamic acids, flavonol compounds), and 520 nm (anthocyanins). The chromatographic profiles of the investigated samples were rather different. 'Negroamaro' and 'Primitivo' wines showed a high content of catechin and proanthocyanidin B2. In these wines the most abundant phenolic acid was the trans-caffeoyl-tartaric acid. 'Aglianico', 'Bombino Nero' and 'Uva di Troia' grapes and wines had the highest anthocyanins content. These results supply some important information about the most suitable oenological technologies in order to exalt the potentialities of the considered grapes.