Investigation on ‘Freisa’ red grape variety: physico-chemical properties of grapes from five Piedmont growing areas and of the produced wines

This study aimed to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of ‘‘Freisa’’ red winegrapes from five growing areas at three ripeness degrees. Wines were produced with grapes from each growing area. Results highlighted that “Freisa” grapes have relatively hard skins (break force>0.8 N), medium anthocyanin content (>800 mg/kg grapes), and high flavanol content (PRO>2500, FVA>1200 mg/kg grapes). Skin thickness, total anthocyanin and flavanol contents were significantly influenced by environmental conditions and ripeness. Grapes from Monferrato area showed the thickest skins and highest contents of anthocyanins but also of seed flavanols. Coherently, wine color characteristics and phenolic composition depended on growing area.