Climate change is inducing earlier grape ripening, especially in warm vintages. This phenomenon is resulting in unbalanced wines with too high an alcohol concentration and low titratable acidity along with a high pH level, without the desired level of phenolic maturity. Final wine quality notably depends on the phenolic composition of grapes and the extractability of these compounds. This research was designed to test a new foliar spray,called LalVigne® MATURE for its capacity to create a balance between sugar development and phenolic maturity. It is a formulation of 100% natural, inactivated wine yeast derivatives. This foliar spray was tested on Syrah vines in two vintages (2012, 2013) in a cool climate wine region (Eger, Hungary). It was acting as an elicitor, stimulating the synthesis of several secondary metabolites. Changes in anthocyanin extractability and texture characteristics of the grape berries were followed during ripening. Experimental wines were made at three separate harvest times in each vintage. Standard analytical parameters for grapes and wines as well as resveratrol were evaluated. Grapes from treated vines had thicker skins than controls at all sampling dates in both vintages. The phenolic
potential (especially anthocyanin concentration and its extractability) of the foliar spray treated grapes was greatly improved. Our experiment showed that phenolic ripening can be enhanced using the foliar spray, and its application is useful in different vintages
