Quality potential of “new-old” white winegrape genotypes from Daunia (northern Apulia region): back to the future?

In the Northern province of the Apulia Region (Foggia, syn. Daunia, Italy), several old white wine-grape genotypes were found in the area called “Alto Tavoliere”. The quality potential of some of these varieties was tested by obtaining, for the first time, experimental wines from them. In the present trial, grapes of the genotypes named Malvasia Bastarda, Squaccianosa and Tuccanese Moscio were wine-processed separately. On grapes of the genotype named Selvaggio, very rich in polyphenols, a prefermentative cold maceration was applied in order to test their suitability to produce a type of “orange wine”. Grapes of all these genotypes, mixed with those of other two varieties, named Uvarilla e Palumma, were used to produce a blended wine. Moreover, in order to compare the characteristics of these grapes with those of a well-known winegrape genotype, cv. Falanghina was also enclosed in the trial. The wines were analyzed to assess their standard physical and chemical parameters, to evaluate their sensory properties and to detect their main aromatic compounds. The results showed that physical and chemical characteristics were normal for wines obtained by small-lot winemakings. Malvasia Bastarda and, to a lesser extent, the blended wine, tended to be more alcoholic (about 0.8 degrees); on the other hand, Selvaggio and Squaccianosa wines had the highest total dry extract. At the sensory evaluation, Selvaggio differed for its deeper color intensity and tonality, as expected because of its winemaking style. On the whole, the blended wine was preferred, followed by Squaccianosa and, thereafter, by Tuccanese Moscio. The blended wine was the most appreciated for aroma purity and intensity and, together with Selvaggio wine, it was rated higher for bodiness. The blended wine was also found the most harmonic, followed by Squaccianosa. This latter, moreover, expressed aromas of almond, white peach and white flowers. The GC-MS analysis showed that Squaccianosa wine was the richest in volatile compounds, also when compared to the reference Falanghina wine. These results encourage to pursue the obtaining of new enological products from the “new-old” genotypes individuated in the “Alto Tavoliere” area of Daunia, either as blend or as mono-variety wines.