Determination of Total Flavan-3-Ols in Wines from Macedonia

Abstract

Flavan-3-ols are very important wine constituents which determine its organoleptic properties, such as bitterness, astringency and taste. Spectrophotometric assay with p-(dimethylamino) cinnamaldehyde was applied for analysis of total flavan-3-ols. The accuracy and precision of the method were confirmed using standard solution of (+)-catechin prepared with low, medium and high concentrations. Additionally, the accuracy of the method was confirmed by standard additions. Total flavan-3-ols (TF3-ols) were analyzed in different red and white wine samples, produced from different vineyard areas in Republic of Macedonia and from two vintages, in 2008 and in 2009. In general, the red wines contained higher content of total flavan-3-ols. TF3-ol content was lower in the wines from 2008 which means that they decreased during the aging, mainly as a result of polymerization.