MODERN APPROACH TO THE RED GRAPE QUALITY MANAGEMENT

The recent years were marked by a significant development in the laboratory analytical methods for the analysis of the polyphenols in the red grapes. However, for the measurement at the receiving or in the vineyard the developments were rather limited. The present work reports the practical results of a modern approach to the evaluation and management of the quality of the red grapes. Thanks to the development of a new system for the polyphenol measurement right in the vineyard, it is possible to measure in real time the phenolic capacity of single vineyards, the effects of growing methods and the ripeness curves. If this system makes possible a quality based assessment, in order to determine the quantity, it is still necessary to rely on extraction methods: a lab procedure has therefore been optimized to extract polyphenols through the use of microwaves, greatly assisting in the samples management and consequently increasing the laboratory analytical capacity. On completion of this system, the aid of a quick measurement of the polyphenols quality at the receiving point allows the selection of all grapes in relation to their polyphenols quality, ahead of vinification. The evaluations right in the vineyards, together with the quick responses in both laboratory and receiving point, enables the selection of the grapes and the vineyards; this allows to determine an actual value to the red grapes, in turn essential for the vineyards selection and to optimize the oenological techniques. The information gathered will than enable to intervene in the vineyard to maximize the potential of the various areas, furthermore, on the market, it is possible to separate the fresh grapes from the dry, in order to determine the price.