Effect of winemaking process and addition of white grapes on the sensory and physicochemical characteristics of young red wines

Background and Aims: This work studies the effect of winemaking process (carbonic maceration (CM) vs destemming) and the effect of grape variety (100% Tempranillo red grapes vs Tempranillo grapes and Viura white grapes) on sensory and physicochemical characteristics of young red wines from Rioja Alavesa. Methods and Results: Nineteen wines distributed in four groups (the four combinations from the two factors) were collected from 12 wineries. Twenty-four sensory attributes and 15 physicochemical parameters were analysed at four time points through 9 months. Data were analysed by analysis of variance and by canonical variate analysis. CM wines were higher in red berry aroma and flavour, alco…