trans-Resveratrol in wines from the major Greek red and white grape varieties

Stilbenes, in particular trans-resveratrol and its glucoside, are widely reported to be beneficial to health, having been shown to posses anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-tumour properties. trans-Resveratrol (trans-3,5,40-trihydroxystilbene), a phenolic compound present in grapes, wines, and peanuts, has been reported to have health benefits including anti-carcinogenic effects and protection against cardiovascular diseases. A direct injection-HPLC method, based on existing methods slightly modified was used to analyze wines from the major red and white Greek grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) for their trans-resveratrol content. Red wines were found to have higher concentrations of trans-resveratrol (0.352–1.99 mg/l) compared with those produced from white varieties (0.005–0.57 mg/l). It was also interesting that red wines produced from the native Greek varieties, Kotsifali, Mandilaria and Agiorgitico, appeared to contain important amounts of trans-resveratrol.