Isabella grape, originated from the South of the United States, is one of the most important varieties of Vitis labrusca. Today it is the most diffused variety in the Serra Gaúcha, the southern viticultural region of Brazil, where it represents near 45% of the total production. Isabella grape is used to make red table wine and juice and it is commercialized as table grape too. Due to its importance, this work was carried out from 1988 to 1994 to study grape maturation, cluster characteristic, must composition and chemical and sensory attributes of its red table wine. The results showed that Isabella grapes had small and loose clusters, with large berries and seeds. The must showed a light pink color, good level of sugar, low malic acid and low titratable acidity. The wine has an attractive red color; the aroma is intense and shows a good varietal characteristic; finally, sensory analysis shows the wine needs a better balance and softness.
enology; Isabella grape; Vitis labrusca; red wine
