Anthocyanins from vinifera grapes varieties

The occurrence of anthocyanins in varieties of red grapes, Bonarda, Merlot, Barbera D'Asti, Gamay-Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Canaiolo grown in Brazil, harvested in Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil, during the 1979's vintage, were studied. The separation was performed by thin-layer monodimensional chromatography. Results were expressed as malvidin-3-monoglucoside (mg/l). The varieties only presented anthocyanin-3-monoglucoside, which confirm its identification as Vitis vinifera. Knowledge of this may help in the detection of wine adulteration. "Pinot Noir" presented higher level in total anthocyanin, 764.12 mg/l, and Canaiolo, 501.49 mg/l, lower. A variation on anthocyanin concentrations among varieties was observed, indicating that it is possible to select varieties by the color intensity for red wine elaboration.