Effect of two water deficit regimes on phenolic composition of 15 recovered grapevine varieties in Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain): A comparison with national and international varieties

Abstract

As a consequence of the climate change effects, the chemical composition of wine grapes is being altered, particularly the phenolic components. For this reason, the drought effect on the phenolic composition of an extensive group of white and red varieties grown under a semi-arid continental Mediterranean climate (La Mancha, Spain) was studied in the 2021 vintage. The study was based on the comparison of the phenolic compounds of minority varieties, using other widely cultivated varieties as a reference. The results obtained indicated that there are currently little-known varieties that can equal or even improve to other reference varieties in terms of phenolic composition. Such varieties may be a good alternative for maintaining wine quality in present and future climate change scenarios.