The anthocyanin profile of a wine greatly varies over time depending on many factors. In addition to color
modifications due to changes in the chemical composition of wine, there may be some influence of the
yeast strain used in fermentation. The main aim of this study is to identify and quantify the different
ways in which yeast may influence on wine color and its stability, during red winemaking.
Hydroxycinnamate decarboxylase activity was measured by the ability to transform the p-coumaric acid
(HPLC–DAD). Acetaldehyde (GC–FID) and pyruvic acid (Y15 enzymatic autoanalyser) contents were monitored
along fermentation. Stable pigments formation, including vitisins, vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanins
and flavanols-anthocyanins adducts, were analyzed by HPLC–DAD/ESI-MS. Moreover, the
ability of adsorbing color molecules by yeasts’ cell walls was assessed. It could be concluded that the
strain used has substantial influence on the formation of stable pigments, and therefore, proper yeast
selection is important to ensure the stability of the wine coloring matter