Technological and oenological characteristics of the Ferdinand de Lesseps and Muskat ruža wine grape varieties

The aim of this paper is to present comparative results of the research for the Ferdinand de Lesseps and Muskat ruža varieties grown in the conditions of the Župa wine region, Serbia. The research included phenological observation, yield, mechanical (ampelographic) characteristics of the bunch and berries, qualitative parameters of grape juice – must, physico-chemical analysis, and sensory evaluation of wine. A later date was determined for the start of a bleeding phenophase, flowering, and berry growth for the Muskat ruža variety, while the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety entered the phenophase of budburst and shoot growth later. Furthermore, the Muskat ruža variety was characterized by higher fertility with an average of more developed reproductive shoots per trunk (9.2). Based on the mechanical (ampelographic) characteristics of the bunch and berries, it was found that the Muskat ruža variety had higher values for the following parameters: developed berries, the average weight and length of the bunch, the number of seeds in 100 berries, and the proportion of the bunch stem, the berry skin, the proportion of seeds, and a higher grape skeleton. On the other hand, the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety had a higher value for the average bunch mass and all berries in a bunch, the average berry width, the mass of 100 berries, the mass of berry skins in 100 berries, the mass of 100 seeds, and the proportion of mesocarp in a bunch. A higher sugar content (21.3%) was found in the grape juice of the Muskat ruža variety than in the Ferdinand de Lesseps variety (20.4%). As far as the physico-chemical analysis of the wine is concerned, the wine of both varieties meets the criteria for the wine production with protected geographical origin. The wine made from Ferdinand de Lesseps received a sensory score of 19 points, while the Muskat ruža variety received 17 points. It can be stated that both varieties have their typical varietal characteristics.