Abstract

Campanha region in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) has received attention on grape production specifically ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Tannat’. Due to the edafoclimatic peculiarities such as sandy soil, good thermal amplitude and sunshine, and low rainfall during the ripening period, it is supposed that the wine of this micro-region, in especially Bagé, might have particular typicity. However, as being a recent activity in the region, the results on grape ripening and wine quality are few. The objective of this work was to characterize Cabernet Sauvignon wines made with grapes from the Region of Campanha, state of Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil, specifically from the municipality of Bagé. As control parameters, it was also vinificated, grapes of the same cultivar from vineyards of Serra do Sudeste and Serra do Nordeste of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The grape of each vineyard was harvested and submitted to microvinification. In one of the vineyards in 2007 (in the region of Bagé) was measured the late harvesting of grapes on wine quality. In general, the results of Bagé wines from the 2004 vintage pointed to good alcohol content and dry extract, but no efficiency on intensity and shade of color. This is probably due to the decrease of acidity during vinification reducing the stability of anthocyanic compounds. The over-ripeness of ‘Carbenet Sauvignon’ grapes during 2007 vintage is a positive alternative of both color and alcohol increment in the wines of Bagé/RS. There was no effect on total acidity whether compared to conventional harvesting or industrially recommended. The high levels of K detected might be one of the factors that contributed to the low total acidity, high pH and color.

Key words: Vitis vinifera, grape quality, color, ripening.