The oxidation of trans-caffeoyl tartrate and the formation of cafteoyl tartrate o-quinone, 2-S-glutathionyl caffeoyl tartrate (grape reaction product, GRP), GRP o-quinone, and 2,5-di-S-glutathionyl cafteoyl tartrate (GRP2) in model solutions containing caffeoyl tartrate, glutathione, and crude grape enzymatic extract were monitored by HPLC and shown to depend on the caffeoyl tartrate to glutathione molar ratio. Similar kinetics were obtained in oxidizing grape musts. However, it seems that other grape components can trap the o-quinones in the same way as glutathione. An initial lag phase, due to the presence of powerful reductants such as ascorbic acid, was observed. © 1982.