Characterization of Grapevine Varieties Indigenous to the Balkans Region

Abstract

Central Balkan region is at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, on the line dividing various nations and civilizations of the East and the West. Due to its favorable climate and geological characteristics, it is an ancient wine growing region hosting a wide range of indigenous grapevine varieties, most of which are not internationally recognized.Also, numerous traditional local varieties, present in this area for centuries, are out of cultivation. Therefore, preservation and characterization of grapevine germplasm is important not only for the breeding process, but also for the improvement of modern varieties and their preservation for the future generations. Also, indigenous varieties as valuable resource of gen donors could be helpful when facing the challenges of climate changes. Unfortunately, during the last decade grapevine germplasm is undergoing a process of rapid genetic erosion, and as a consequence we are facing with the loss of varieties which are traditionally related to different winegrowing regions. The only way to prevent the loss of this heritage is to locate them, evaluate, preserve and precisely characterize them. In this Chapter the results of morphological and genetic characterization, as well as chemical characterization of some of the most important indigenous grapevine varieties in the central Balkan, such as Vranac, Krstač, Smederevka, Prokupac, Žilavka, Plavac Mali, and Istrian Malvasia will be summarized. These old varieties have passed through the process of natural selection and adapted to particular environmental conditions. As such, they represent irreplaceable genetic value for each country, and for the entire region.