Characterization of the harvest year and the quality of red wines from Valea Calugareasca depending of the technological and phenolic potential of the varieties

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2014–2018 period in order to define the quality level of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Feteasa neagra varieties, according to the characteristics of the harvest year. The grape harvest was recorded earlier with 12 days in case of Cabernet Sauvignon and with 14 days in case of Fetească neagră variety, compared to the multiannual average. During the years of study, harvesting of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety was made between September 17 and October 6, and that of the grapes from the Feteasca neagra variety during September 17-28. The dynamics of grape ripening was very fast in the harvest year 2014, fast in the years 2015 and 2016, slow in 2017 and 2018. In the 2014 harvest year for the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, the phenolic maturity of the grapes was assessed as good for all determined analytical parameters. Grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety are well formed, with a percentage of normally developed berries, with the skin of the grapes in a high proportion, high in anthocyanins; smallmedium grains, thick skin of the grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon wine was appreciated, compared to the average of 1990- 1999, with a very good alcoholic concentration of 12.6% vol. alc. in 2016 and 12.8% vol alc. in the years 2017 and 2018. The wine from the Feteasca neagra variety was appreciated as being extractive, with a high alcohol concentration of over 13% vol. alc., with a medium acidity, intensely colored.