The wild grape, Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Heigi, according to the most important opinions about the history of the viticulture, is the progenitor of the Vitis vinifera currently cultivated. Still now, we can find it, in many forests of central Italy, Sardinia and Europe.
Our Department have just begun a research project with the aim to safeguard and study, from several point of view (ampelographic, molecular and phylogenetic), of wild grapes recovered in South Tuscany, particularly in “Maremma” (Grosseto province). We have so far identified and cataloged more than 150 accessions from different habitats, of which about seventy, were planted in a vineyard collection. Morphological, phenological, qualitative and molecular observations (nuclear and chloroplast microsatellites) are under evaluation.
Results of preliminary investigations have shown a large genetic variability highlighted by morphological, phenological and qualitative characteristics (plants male, female, black berry and white berry). Moreover, an high concentration and a large variability on berry anthocyanin profiles were found.
Thanks to the use of molecular markers, it was possible to highlight how some supposed accessions of wild grape, belong to the subspecies vinifera. The surveys are still ongoing in order to increase the number of accessions and evaluate the possible genetic proximity with the varieties currently grown in Tuscany.
Poster presented at Enoforum 2013, 7-9 May, Arezzo (Italy)
Abstract The management and disposal of large amounts of grape..
Ayuso, S.1 Fernández-Pérez, R.2 Moreta, C.1 Tenorio, Carmen and 1Ruiz-Larrea,..
The demand for a sustainable economy and resource conservation is..
The seasonal character of harvests limits winemaking considerably, especially oenological..
