Mouthfeel characteristics of wine phenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid) were evaluated by sensory analysis using a Labeled Magnitude Scale for rating the intensity of the perceived sensations. Synergisms on bitterness and on astringent sub-qualities were detected when the phenolic compounds were tested as mixtures in comparison to individual compounds, maintaining the total amount of stimulus constant in all tasted samples. Principal component analysis was applied to observe trends in the data and to indicate relationships between phenolic substances and sensory attributes. It allowed us to easily visualize the synergistic effect discussed above. To our knowledge, this is the first time that astringency synergism between phenolic compounds has been described. This research also shows that wine aromas may modulate the perception of the astringency. In this study, the addition of volatile compounds increased the intensity of the astringent perception of the flavanol solutions and also its persistence.

a b s t r a c tThe potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine the content of phenolic compounds in red grapes has been evaluated. The near infrared spectra of intact grapes and grape skins throughout maturity were recorded using a fibre-optic probe and a transport quartz cup, respectively. Reference values of phenolic compounds were obtained by HPLC-DAD-MS. Modified Partial Least Squares (MPLS) regression was used to develop the quantitative models for flavanols, flavonols, phenolic acids, anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds. The procedure reported here seems to have an excellent potential for fast and reasonable cost analysis. The results of this work show that the models developed using NIRS technology together with chemometric tools allow the quantification of total phenolic compounds and the families of main phenolic compounds in grape skins throughout maturation. The validation of these models showed the best results for the determination of flavonols (differences between HPLC and NIRS of 7.8% using grapes and 10.7% using grape skins) in the external validation procedure. Good results in the external validation were also obtained for the determination of total phenolic compounds (differences of 11.7% using grapes and 14.7% using grape skins). The best results were generally obtained recording the spectra directly in intact grapes.

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The aim of this work has been to determine the correlations between sensory analysis, colour and content of main flavanols present in seeds. For this, the flavanic composition of grape seeds with different degrees of maturity was analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS and the obtained results were correlated with CIELab colour parameters, perceived colour (C), hardness of the seed (HS), tannic intensity (TI) and astringency (A). Multiple linear regression analysis (MLR) with the variables showing significant correlations (p<0.05) was also performed. Grape seeds undergo important decreases in the content of catechins and procyanidin oligomers during ripening. Epicatechin-(4-8)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (B2G) and (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECG) are the flavanolic compounds whose contents decrease most. The changes in the phenolic composition accompany changes in TI, A and HS. The total content of flavanols in the seed is not the only factor affecting these attributes, since samples containing higher contents in flavanols can exhibit less astringency and tannic intensity than others with lower ones. The qualitative profile of the seeds is, therefore, also responsible for the sensations elicited in the mouth. A and HS parameters are more affected by the presence of galloylated dimeric procyanidins in the molecule than TI. CIELab colour parameters of seeds have high correlation coefficients with many flavanolic compounds. ECG was the compound most related to these parameters.

The relationship between cell wall composition and extractability of anthocyanins from red grape skins was assessed in Tempranillo grape samples harvested at three stages of ripening (pre-harvest, harvest and over-ripening) and three different contents of soluble solids (22, 24 and 26 °Brix) within each stage. Cell wall material was isolated and analysed in order to determine cellulose, lignin, non-cellulosic polysaccharides, protein, total polyphenols index and the degree of esterification of pectins. Results showed the influence of ripeness degree and contents of soluble solids on cell wall composition. Furthermore, principal components analysis was applied to the obtained data set in order to establish relationships between cell wall composition and extractability of anthocyanins. Total insoluble material exhibits the biggest opposition to anthocyanin extraction, while the highest amounts of cellulose, rhamnogalacturonans-II and polyphenols were positively correlated with anthocyanin extraction. Moreover, multiple linear regression was performed to assess the influence of the cell wall composition on the extraction of anthocyanin compounds. A model connecting cell wall composition and anthocyanin extractabilities was built, explaining 96.2% of the observed variability.