Anthocyanin fingerprint of grapes:: environmental and genetic variations

The anthocyanin content and fingerprint of four different Vitis vinifera L. varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Monastrell), the last grown in two different locations, were studied during three growing seasons to determine how seasonal conditions and location affect the content of berry anthocyanins and their relative percentages. Important differences in the content of anthocyanins were detected among varieties - Monastrell grapes from one of the locations presenting the highest anthocyanin content - when expressed as mu g g(-1) of skin. However, due to the large berry size of Monastrell grapes, when the results were expressed as mg kg(-1) of berry, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes presented the highest concentration. Significant differences were found as regards growing season, the concentration of anthocyanins being lowest in 2003, the warmest year. As regards the relative percentage of the different anthocyanins, substantial differences were found between varieties, but again, the results were also influenced by the year under study. When the percentages of anthocyanins were used as variables in a discriminant analysis, a 100% correct classification of the four different varieties was obtained. Moreover, to check the suitability of this tool for classifying varieties, data referring to the anthocyanin percentages of the four varieties grown in very different agroecological conditions and at different ripening stages were tested with the model we have built, 89% of correct classification being achieved. (c) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry.