An Insight Into Selected Properties of Merlot Wines Obtained from Three New Clone Candidates

Abstract

Covering the period 2009-2012, the quality of Merlot wines obtained from three new clone candidates (namely Nos. 022, 025 and 029, respectively; fourth phase of clonal selection) developed in the Republic of Serbia was examined. The following parameters were determined: Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) index, pH value, total acidity, volatile acids, aldehydes, esters, relative density and ash. In comparison with the standard Merlot wine (originating from mother vine), FC index (from 35.73 to 37.15) and tasting score (from 17.89 to 17.95) were higher for the wines of all three clone candidates tested. These findings are in good agreement with the observed trend for the viticultural parameters indicating better properties of the new Merlot clone candidates versus mother.