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The effects of canopy treatment with chitosan and the effects of the vineyard location on the quality parameters, volatile and non-volatile profiles, and sensory profile of Pinot Noir wines from South Tyrol (Italy) were studied. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to identify the most relevant compounds associated with the variability in phenolics and anthocyanins (analyzed by UHPLC-MS), volatile components (HS-SPME-GCxGC-ToF/MS), and basic enological parameters. A clear separation of low-altitude wines (350 m.a.s.l.), which had a high concentration of most of the identified volatile compounds, compared to high-altitude wines (800 and 1050-1150 m.a.s.l.) was pointed out. Low altitude minimized the concentration of the most significant anthocyanins in wines from a valley bottom, presumably due to reduced sun exposure. Wines obtained from chitosan-treated canopies, and, more particularly, those subjected to multiple treatments per year showed a higher amount of the main non-volatile phenolics and were sensorially described as having "unpleasant flavors" and "odors", which might suggest that grape metabolism is slightly altered compared to untreated grapevines. Thus, optimization of the treatment with chitosan should be further investigated.

Abstract: Several species belonging to the genus Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae), comprising ones among which are found the most typical plants of the Italian flora, are known to contain biologically active anthraquinone secondary metabolites. Although several Rhamnus species were so far investigated, no information is available concerning the content and relative abundances of anthraquinones in R. saxatilis. In this study we used a simple, reliable, and accurate analytical method to determine the anthraquinones in bark of R. saxatilis. This allowed us also to trace a comparative study on the efficacy of different extraction solvents in ultrasonication time dependent assays. Separation and quantification of anthraquinones were accomplished using a C18 column with the mobile phase of H2O:methanol (40:60, v/v, 1% formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.7mL/min and a detection wavelength of 254nm, while the qualitative analyses were also achieved at a wavelength of 435nm.Finally, the described HPLC method, was used to obtain a specific chemical fingerprint for this species in comparison with other species from the same family. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]