Characteristics of some Montefalco Sagrantino vineyards through polyphenolic components

Characteristics related to the climate and the soil of Montefalco in the centre of Italy have been defined in order to evaluate their influence on the red cv. Sagrantino, focusing on the phenolic evolution. Considering six vintages (2001-2006) six areas were compared: Torre, Poggio Allegro, Poggio Allodole, Valle Gualdo, Montepennino, Pietrauta. During ripening stage different sampling were carried out in the six different areas to check technological maturation (sugar, acidity and pH) and the phenolic content (Mattivi, 2002). Each area was characterized by the pedological and climatic point of view (pedological analysis, Winkler index, PPAR and rains). Among the vintages considered, 2003 presents a higher sugar content and a definitely lower content in anthocyanins, while polyphenols are higher. In the cold and rainy 2002, acidity and pH turned out higher and lower respectively. Torre is the area with the highest amount of total poliphenols, with a good contribution from the pips. To Poggio Allegro and Poggio Allodole correspond skins richer in anthocyanins. The weight average of berries is in the varietal standards for every site. Instead from Valle Gualdo turn out grapes with higher sugar contents. However there isn’t a decisive influence of the soil over the polyphenolic composition. The results show that in Montefalco area the climate influence and exposure to sunlight are determinant even though differently according to the area. While soil seems to influence less the concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins.