Inoculation with malolactic bacteria (10 6 cells mL)1) was carried out after rehydration of cells in warm sterile water at 30°C for 30 min. Samples were taken directly from the vinification tanks at 4, 10, 16, 22, and 28 days after the start of alcoholic fermentation. The pH value of
each sample was measured in duplicate, and samples were stored in cold ice prior to total DNA extraction (between 1 h and 1.30 h since samples were collected).