Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Vine performance benchmarking of indigenous Cypriot grape varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko

Vine performance benchmarking of indigenous Cypriot grape varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko

Abstract

OENO One – Special issue

 Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) formulate a baseline understanding of the performance of the indigenous Cypriot white grape Xynisteri and the red grape Maratheftiko (Vitis vinifera L.), and (2) compare these varieties to Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc grown in a Cypriot vineyard.
Materials and results: The investigation involved multiple dry grown vineyards from the Krasochoria region of Lemesos, Cyprus, during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages. Vine performance measurements, including midday stem water potential, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, stomata density, vine phenology and vegetative and reproductive measurements, were taken at flowering, veraison and pre-harvest. Xynisteri had the greatest stomatal density, more shoots, more leaves, heavier bunches, greater yield, higher leaf water potential at harvest, and a stomatal conductance equal to Maratheftiko, but greater than that of both Shiraz and Sauvignon blanc. Maratheftiko had the longest shoots, largest shoot diameter and the greatest chlorophyll content out of all four varieties.

Conclusions:

This study identified the ability of the indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, Xynisteri and Maratheftiko, to better tolerate hot and dry conditions when compared to more commonly cultivated varieties grown in the same environmental conditions.
Significance and impact of the study: The changing climate of wine growing regions worldwide is placing great pressure on the resources for sustainable viticulture. Many vineyards in hot climate zones base their businesses on European grape varieties traditionally grown in regions with abundant water resources. It is therefore necessary for the global wine industry to investigate grape varieties that are indigenous to hot climates. The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is one such place, with more than 10 indigenous grape varieties that grow well in a hot climate without irrigation. Consumer studies have demonstrated that wines made from these Cypriot varieties are equally, if not more, acceptable than wines made from more traditional European grapes; therefore, the potential for their use in other hot wine growing regions is promising.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: March 25, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type : Video

Authors

Alexander W. Copper1 , Christodoulos Karaolis2 , Stefanos Koundouras2 , Savvas Savvides3 , Susan E. P. Bastian1 , Trent E. Johnson1 and Cassandra Collins1

1 School of Agriculture Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide. PMB 1, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia.
2 School of Agriculture, Aristotle University, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
3 Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture Rural development and Environment, P.O. Box 22016, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Contact the author

Keywords

Climate change, vine performance, adaptation, stomata density, water potential, chlorophyll content

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Evaluation of Furmint clones in the Tokaj Wine Region

The ’Furmint’ is the most important grape variety in the Tokaj Wine Region, constituting around 65% of its vineyard area. Before the phylloxera disease many types were grown, but as selection started in the 20th century, its diversity dramatically narrowed. As a result, the cultivation of Furmint was based mainly on two heavy-cropping clones, T.85 and T.92 at the end of the ’80s. Aims of present clone research take into account that after solely quantity as target, quality emerged in the 1990’s and most recently, typicity appeared as more private estates began their own selection program.

Read More

Terroir aspects of harvest timing in a cool climate wine region: physiology, berry skin phenolic composition and wine quality

Preliminary experiment of harvest timing was carried out in Eger wine district, Hungary in 2009. In situ physiological responses, berry quality parameters and wine quality of the Kékfrankos grapevine were studied at two growing sites (Eger-K6lyuktet6 – non-stressed, flat vineyard, and Eger-Nagyeged hill – water stressed, steep slope vineyard).

Read More

The effect of viticultural treatment on grape juice chemical composition

Viticultural management regimes influence the soil elemental profile of a vineyard, determining the microbial community distribution, insect life, and plant biochemistry and physiology

Read More

Red wines from southwest France, Lebanon and South Korea: study of phenolic composition and antioxidant and biological activities according to grape varieties and winemaking processes

The phenolic compounds present in the wine are responsible for reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases (cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer …) because of their antioxidant activities and the presence of nutraceutical molecules with targeted biological activities. Polyphenols not only contribute to the “French paradox” but also contribute to give the wine its color, structure, aroma and allow a long-term preservation.

Read More

Critical investigation on additions to improve the sensory characteristics of dealcoholized wine

The demand for dealcoholized wine has been progressively increasing in recent years. Moreover, the attention for such products is probably increasing even more. Due to that increasing demand and market awareness the legal authorities are about changing rules for that products. Also, at OIV level, these products are being intensively discussed for certain time. The production of dealcoholized wine bases on wine as initial product. This wine is then reduced by physical methods to an alcohol content of less than 0.5% vol., or in other words, to less than 4g/l of alcohol. There are various technologies are possible for producing dealcoholized wine (Schmitt and Christmann 2019).

Read More