Genetic diversity of Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from Yinchuan wine region in the East of Helan Mountain, China

Aim: This study aimed to isolate Oenococcus oeni in red wines from Yinchuan wine region in the East of Helan Mountain, China, and analysis their genetic diversity.

Methods and Results: Oenococcus oeni strains were isolated from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Gernischt wines of four representative wineries in 2016. Total 207 O. oeni strains were isolated and identified by species-specific PCR. Following that, 206 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotypes were detected, with the similarity coefficients ranging between 63% – 97%. Based on the UPGMA, two major phylogroups were deciphered at 81% similarity level. Interestingly, the strains in different phylogroups were isolated from wines of different cultivars. In addition, strains from the same winery formed a unique cluster.

Conclusions: 

Our results indicate there is an obvious genetic relationship of O. oeni with grape cultivars and their origins. Our results also support the fact that O. oeni is an important factor related to the wine terroir. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: The Chinese wine industry has steadily grown in recent years. However, limited development and application of indigenous O. oeni strains would lead to homogeneity in wine quality. The outcome of this study would lay down the theoretical foundation for the development of indigenous O. oeni strains with regional characteristics.