Effects of skin maceration time on the phenolic and sensory characteristics of Bombino Nero rosé wines

Rosé wines consumption has reached the highest level in present years and it is still an ongoing trend in several countries. Therefore, the production of rosé wines with improved sensory qualities and colour stability would be greatly appreciated. Today, although rosé wines are no longer considered to be less valuable than red and white ones, anyway, because of the past rosé’s reputation the scientific state of art lacks of specific studies concerning the effects of pre-fermentation maceration times on rosé wines. In this study, different pre fermentation maceration times (3, 6 and 8 h) during production of original location certified and guaranteed rosé wine from Bombino Nero variety (Vitis vinifera L.) were investigated. In all wines standard and specific wine chemical parameters, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamoyl tartaric acids, volatile compounds and colour parameters were determined. A sensory descriptive analysis together with chemical analyses performed revealed that the maceration time significantly affected the aroma, the flavour and the colour of wines. The results showed that, although a longer maceration time is positively correlated to the colour stability of wine over time, however, a lengthener of the maceration is not favourable to enrich the wine with pleasant fruity and flowery aroma compounds, as both the gas chromatography and the sensory analyses showed. It was decided to perform the experimental winemaking processes in an actual winery instead of a laboratory in order to develop a practical winemaking management procedure directly usable for wine producers. The results obtained contribute to improve the knowledge about the importance of selecting the winemaking technique in order to elaborate high quality rosé wines.