A little over six months ago researchers reported a high quality DNA sequence for the Pinot-Noir grape. ((Not, you will note, Merlot, which would have been way too easy.)) Now comes news that the USDA is planning to do a genetic analysis of more than 2000 additional grape varieties in its collection. These will not be full sequences. Rather, researchers will be looking for SNPs, ((Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, pronounced “snips”.)) places where the DNA sequence differs by just one letter between two individuals. These SNPs are most useful as markers that can be used to identify areas of the DNA that may harbour important traits. Breeders and researchers can use them to track the inheritance of specific traits; USDA singles out disease resistance and berry colour. And that will speed up the breeding of new grape varieties.
I know hardly anything about the world of grape breeding, but someone out there may be able to tell me: when was the most recent introduction of a newly bred variety that gained any traction within the world of wine-making? ((I’m told this type of question is called a bleg; using a blog to beg for an answer (not money).))
Hi.
DNA fingerprinting of any sort is gaining relevance also (but not only) in forensic analysis to assure commercial protection of Vitis vinifera clones created by breeders. Prof. Testolin at the University of Udine, AFAIK, is quite known in this field.
I have attended to a seminar recently and his group seems to be extremely focused on DNA fingerprinting and grape breeding.
Interesting. I hadn’t thought of that. So, is that also how they discover that wines contain “illegal” varieties?
No, or at least I don’t think so. The work is mainly in the development of techniques aimed at the detection of reliable genetic traits to be used as markers in “clones” identification (at plant level, not wine). Most of the business of breeders is in the development of “clones”, which are not protectable by means of patents and, if I’m not wrong, cannot be registered in the national register of grape varieties.
I’m pretty sure that vegetatively propagated species CAN be registered in the Common Catalogue, and for plant variety rights.
There are many grape hybrids that are “gaining traction” in the commercial winemaking industry. Mueller-Thurgau is a great example, bred in Germany many decades ago, and now widely grown for wine in that country. The new Regent red wine variety is becoming popular in many parts of the world, due to its high wine quality and excellent disease resistance. In California, the Olmo hybrid Rubired is extensively planted for wine production. In the northeastern United States, several of the new Cornell grape hybrids are being widely planted….eg, Cayuga White, GR 7, Noiret. And in the coldest regions of the midwestern United States, a new, growing wine industry has sprung up, due to the availability of Swenson hybrids(eg, Edelweiss, St. Croix) and hybrids from the University of Minnesota(eg, Frontenac, LaCrescent). Grape hybrids are “the way of the future”, because it is only through hybridization that we can achieve pest resistance, and thereby begin growing grapes in a more sustainable manner.