High level of trans-resveratrol, a natural anti-cancer agent, found in Korean Noul red wine

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a phenolic substance present in both grapes and wines, has been reported to have certain pharmacological effects. Using an ethylacetate-phase extraction followed by a high performance liquid chromatographic analysis, the concentration of trans- resveratrol was measured in 9 red wines commercially available in Korea, including the Korean red wine (Noul). Noul red wine with a 1998 vintage had a trans-resveratrol concentration of 3.3 mg/l, which was rather higher than the concentrations found in other wines (0.19-2.45 mg/l) with the exception of the French wine, J. P. Chenet (3.39 mg/l). In addition, the grapes of Vitis labrusca cv. Sheridan cultivated in the Kyungsan area showed a trans- resveratrol content of 6.4 mg/kg.