AbstractBACKGROUNDRed sparkling wines are and innovative product for the oenology market, and oenologists are looking for technologies to improve their winemaking. The present study aimed to use both carbonic maceration and pectolytic enzymes applied to premature grapes during the winemaking of red sparkling wines. Both could modify the release of polyphenols, as well as improve the foaming, aroma and sensory properties of the wines.RESULTSRed sparkling wines made with mature grapes showed the highest content of polyphenols, ethyl esters, alcohol acetates, total volatile acids and foam stability time. They were characterised by a high foam collar and foam area, full‐body, astringency, persistence, and olfactory intensity, and were the best evaluated with respect to global perception in the sensory analysis. Treatment with pectolytic enzymes was not effective with unripe grapes. These wines showed a high content of total ethyl esters and the highest content of lactones, producing wines with high olfactory intensity and fruity aromas. Red sparkling wines made by carbonic maceration showed the lowest content of total polyphenols, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, as well as high contents of C6 alcohols and total ethyl esters, and were characterised by vegetal aroma notes. Both treatments produced red sparkling wines with good foam characteristics.CONCLUSIONWinemaking of red sparkling wines with premature grapes and pectinolytic enzymes or carbonic maceration did not achieve an improvement with respect to their chemical and sensory qualities. The use of mature grapes and traditional winemaking is the best option for elaborating red quality sparkling wines. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry