V. BAMBALOV, V. ROYTCHEV and P. BOTYANSKI
Agricultural University, BG-4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
BAMBALOV, V., V. ROYTCHEV and P. BOTYANSKI, 2005. Effect of cluster sun xposure on chemical composition and technological properties of grapes and wine from cultivars Cabernet sauvignon and Mavrud. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 11: 551-556
A study was conducted on the effect of direct solar radiation on grape clusters of cvs Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavrud, formed under four different microclimatic conditions: V0 - control; V1 - clusters exposed naturally to direct sunlight; V2 - clusters formed under natural shading; V3 - clusters formed under artificial shading. Berry skin extracts and wine samples of each variant were tested for: anthocyanins, total phenols, colour characteristics and wine-making characters. A significant decrease in the contents of anthocyans, total phenols, colour intensity, sugar-free extract, alcohol and titratable acidity was established in the variants formed under natural or artificial shading of clusters. The positive impact of direct solar radiation on the formation of wine structure, character and body indicated the primary role of agrotechnical practices for ensuring better sunlight exposure of clusters and microclimatic conditions to enable the production of good wine-making materials.