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…

Exploring intra-vineyard variability with sensor- and molecular-based approaches 

The application of remote and proximal sensing is a fast and efficient method to monitor grapevine vegetative and physiological parameters and is considered valuable to derive information on associated yield and quality traits in the vineyard. Further details can be obtained by the application of molecular analysis at the gene expression level aiming at elucidating how pathways controlling the formation of different grape quality traits are influenced by spatial variability. This work aims at evaluating intra-vineyard variability in grape composition at harvest and at comparing this with remotely sensed canopy vegetation data and molecular-based approaches.

Read More

Complementarity of measurements of electric resistivity of soils and ΔC13 of must in studies and valorization of wine terroirs

The correlations between vine water deficit cumulated over the ripening period of grapes, assessed by ΔC13 in must sugar, and the main analytic variables of grapes are significant. As a result ΔC13 is a useful tool in zoning homogeneous areas according to their technological qualities when harvesting.

Read More

Effect of pre-fermentative addition of oenological tannins on the volatile composition and colour characteristics of white wines

This study investigates the effect of pre-fermentative addition of oenological tannins on basic physicochemical parameters, total polyphenols index (TPI), antioxidant activity (DPPH method), colour traits, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of white wines made from ‘Vermentino’ or ‘Erbaluce’ grapes (Vitis vinifera).

Read More

Geological characterization of plot belonging to the left bank terraces terroir of the Gaillac vineyard (Tarn, Midi-Pyrénées). Consequences on determination of choice of vegetative material

Detailed geological analyses of a plot belonging to the « AOC Gaillac » area have been carried out. This plot belongs to the left bank terraces of the Tarn River which coinciding with one of the three main terroirs of the AOC area. It is localised on the rissian-aged (≈ 200 000 yrs B.P.)

Read More

The moment of preharvest elicitor application influence its final effect on winegrapes quality

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites of grapes. Plants produce a wide variety of this type of metabolites through diverse biosynthesis pathways and their production is sometimes a response to external stimuli, either environmental or biotic stresses. Some of them may act as chemical defenses against pathogens or herbivores and their synthesis is increased when the attack exists. However, it is remarkable that the synthesis of these interesting compounds can be activated even when the stimulus is not present, with the use of elicitors. These are substances that when applied exogenously trigger the biosynthetic pathways conducting to the synthesis of these defense compounds.

Read More