Influence of the harvest date on berry compositions and wine profiles of Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Cabernet Sauvignon' under a semiarid continental climate over two consecutive years.

The ripeness of a grape is critical to berry composition and to the resultant wine. For wineries with a single cultivar occupying an extensive area, the total soluble solid of grapes can range from 22°Brix to 28°Brix. Accordingly, the influence of different harvest dates (ripeness) on berry compositions and on the resultant wine profile was investigated for Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Cabernet Sauvignon.' Berry dehydration was observed as berry weight and juice yields decreased. Berry anthocyanins were concentrated and methylated anthocyanin levels fluctuated with increasing delays in harvesting. Hexanal and 2-hexenal levels in must decreased significantly as berries ripened. In the resultant wines, 2,3-butanediol levels increased. Wines harvested earlier were lighter, presented lower color intensity (CI) values and higher yellow% levels, and exhibited richer aroma profiles (compounds). Through a principal component analysis and discriminant analysis, the compounds characterizing each harvest date were identified.
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