Phytochemical Profile of Young Red Wines From Autochthonous and Domesticated Serbian Grape Varieties

The Serbian grape varieties Probus and Prokupac, together with the long-established Frankovka (Blaufränkisch) cultivated in the region for more than 2 centuries, represent distinctive oenological resources of national importance. This study analyzes the polyphenolic composition, color characteristics, and antioxidant activity of 13 young red wines produced from these varieties. The polyphenolic compound profile was determined using spectrophotometric techniques and high-performance liquid chromatography. Probus wines exhibited the highest concentrations of total polyphenolic compounds (2068.82-3827.56 mg of gallic acid equivalents per liter), alongside elevated levels of flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and tannins. These pronounced phenolic levels corresponded with the highest antioxidant activity measured via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assays, followed by Prokupac and Frankovka. Correlation analysis showed that compounds such as peonidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were strongly associated with antioxidant capacity, emphasizing the contribution of specific polyphenols to free-radical neutralization. A strong relationship between color intensity and phenolic composition was also observed, with anthocyanins and tannins identified as the major contributors to this color parameter. As an initial screening study, these results provide essential insight into the distinctive polyphenolic and antioxidant profiles of these wines produced from Serbian autochthonous and domesticated grape varieties. Future research should address the influence of environmental factors and aging to further clarify their oenological and bioactive potential.