DIFFERENTIATION OF GRAPES ACCORDING TO TH E SKIN ANTHOCYANIN COMPOSITION

The anthocyanin composition of the skins of 9 varieties of Vitis vinif era grapes grown in Castilla y Leon (Spain) was studied. The results w ere subjected to HJ-biplot analysis to determine whether it is possibl e to differentiate varieties. Variables for the statistical treatment were: delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin 3-monogl ucosides percentages, anthocyanins in the form of acetic and p-coumari c esters, the Mv/Dp ratio and the anthocyanin content. Prior analysis carried out with samples of the Tempranillo variety revealed that the anthocyanin profile was scarcely influenced by the vintage and growing areas of the grapes. Nevertheless, differences among varieties were f ound, suggesting that the anthocyanin composition could be considered as characteristic of the variety, and hence could be employed for the classification of grapes.