Comparative studies on the antioxidant properties and polyphenolic content of wine from different growing regions and vintages, a pilot study to investigate chemical markers for climate change

Many health benefits of wine result from specific polyphenolic compounds. Factors such as climate, CO2 levels and region are known to affect polyphenolic compounds in wine; therefore a pilot study was conducted to focus on the Australian climate which has shifted from El Niño to La Niña. This research paper presents the influence of climate conditions and growing regions on the in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant capacity of red and white wine and the profile and concentration of polyphenols in these wines from the 2008 and 2009 vintages. The ORAC and polyphenolic data show that warmer climate wines had lower in vitro antioxidant capacity values but retained good bioavailability based on data from the RBC ex vivo assay compared to cool climate wines. Based on this pilot study, further research is being conducted at the National Measurement Institute, Australia (NMIA) with the goal of determining more polyphenolic compounds which appear to be affected by climate conditions.

► We compare the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic profiles of Australian wines.
► Methods assessed included in vitro and ex vivo assays and polyphenolic profile.
► These profiles were evaluated between vintages and wine growing regions.
► Australian wines profiles varied significantly depending on wine growing region.
► Potential polyphenolic chemical markers of climate change were identified.