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An intensive movement of varieties along the routes of population's migrations (settlers, traders , pilgrims, sailors and soldiers) occurred since the olden times for Vitis vinifera, one of the most ancient crop spread in central-southern Europe. Recently, the enhancement of varietal identification through DNA markers by genetic profile comparison, lead to the discovery of often unexpected synonyms even in distant regions, thus contributing to gain insight into grape variety circulation in the past. Yet, new questions arise on the movement routes and direction of some ancient grapes, questioning their likely native sites. Although varieties movement took piace also inland (along the Balkan peninsula, in Centrai Europe and across the Alps), most of the spreading of grape cultivars by human trades and migrations occurred in the Mediterranean basin. Here some grape varieties show many synonyms (8-1O and even more) each of them used in a specific area where it was introduced and cultivated, often far from the other locations . Between the two sides of Adriatic Sea, an intensive exchange of materials occurred from/to the ltalian peninsula and the western side of the Balkan area, indicating an intense trade activity in the past. Historical evidences, ampelographic information, pedigree reconstruction and genetic proximity of the involved grapes would ali contribute to shed light on their migration events and/or their possible geographical origin.

Berry fruits show high antioxidant capacity among plant foods. Medical research has uncovered medicinal properties of pigmented polyphenols, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and other phytochemicals, mainly localized in berry skin and seeds. The aim of this work was to contribute to the study of nutraceutical features of some berry fruits (currants, gooseberries and strawberries). The content in different antioxidant compounds in fresh fruits of different cultivars and selections of Ribes spp. and Fragaria x ananassa Duch was analyzed . Fruits of 29 cultivars of 3 different species of Ribes spp. and 5 cultivars of strawberry were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph coupled to a UV/Vis detector and a mass detector (MS) to identify and quantify the main antioxidant compounds. Regarding the cultivars of Ribes spp., it was confirmed the presence of a high content in phenolic compounds, representing, therefore, an important source of antioxidant compounds. Moreover, results showed that the considered cultivars and selections of strawberries are a good source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolics. The results of this study contributed to give some new insights into the nutraceutical aspects of the considered berry fruit species.

Salvaguardia e valorizzazione del patrimonio viticolo varietale impongono conoscenze precise. Indagini realizzate nel Reggiano ne evidenziano la complessa ricchezza varietale, con sinonimie e unicità rispetto ai patrimoni di altre zone viticole europee

Piante di vite trasformate con il gene della proteina capsidica del Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV-CP) non presentano una correlazione diretta tra espressione e numero di copie dei transgeni inseriti. Analisi molecolari hanno evidenziato delezioni e duplicazioni del T-DNA e del DNA di vite nei punti di inserzione del transgene. In alcune linee in cui più copie di T-DNA sono state integrate in un singolo locus l'espressione del transgene è in genere molto bassa o assente. Nelle linee silenziate sono state osservate elevate percentuali di citosine metilate a livello del transgene, ma non sono stati individuati siRNAs specifici per GFLV-CP.

The objective of the European Vitis Database is to safeguard and enhance germplasm by monitoring its preservation. Two issues are strongly related to that purpose: (1) participation of collections covering almost all grape biodiversity and (2) assessment of accessions trueness to type. In the scope of the European project GrapeGen06 efforts have been made towards both objectives. The 35 participating grape germplasm repositories are found between the Iberian Peninsula and Transcaucasia, thus covering a broad range of grape diversity. Altogether they maintain 32,410 accessions. However with respect to biodiversity, gaps are still evident and further collections need to be included and trueness to type assessment absolutely needs to be pursued to organize duplication of endangered genotypes. Within the GrapeGen06 project focus was laid on the establishment of a database conferring the collection holders a high degree of responsibility and independence. Hence for the first time in a European Central Crop Database an on-line uploading application and an interactive modification system for data administration was implemented. These innovations disburden the database manager and offer the curators of collections more flexibility. Prerequisites for data import, descriptors applied, access levels, database contents, uploading, export and search functions are described., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol. 51 No. 2 (2012): Vitis

The final characteristics of a wine are strongly influenced by must varietal composition. Further, wine quality and value can be heavily modified if grape varieties other than those expected/allowed are used, especially in the case of monovarietal wines. 'Moscato bianco', which is one of the main grape varieties grown in Piedmont (northwestern Italy), is used for the production of two renowned monovarietal sparkling wines: Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti. Here, the genetic traceability of these wines was assessed using a simple sequence repeat (SSR or microsatellite) DNA-based method. Must and wine samples from two local wineries were collected at different winemaking steps: after grape crushing and pressing, without the skins (must sample 1, M1); after static clarification or flotation (M2); halfway through fermentation (M3); and finished wines. A DNA extraction protocol was developed, and samples were analysed using a set of 9 nuclear (nSSR) and 7 chloroplast (cpSSR) markers. The application of nSSR markers was successful for M1 and M2, but was inadequate for M3 and wines. CpSSR gave better results as amplifications were achieved using DNA extracted from M1, M2 and wines, despite the lack of amplification in M3. Furthermore, the amplified cpSSR loci showed high polymorphism, allowing the identification of 5 distinct chlorotypes among 7 muscat-flavoured and 2 non-aromatic grapevines. Altogether, these results suggest that this technique could be extended to wine quality and authenticity control, as well as origin protection.

In order to identify grape varieties from Liguria (north-western Italy), 51 accessions (major, minor and neglected cultivars) were compared to those present in the grape collections of the neighbouring regions. Synonyms were confirmed by SSR markers (9 loci). Only 36 unique genetic profiles were found within grapes from Liguria, demonstrating the occurrence of synonyms with cultivars either from the same region or from other grape growing areas. Six evident misnames were found as well as homonyms. Four unexpected synonyms provided an opportunity to trace the likely origin and/or the movement of ancient cultivars, including ‘Vernaccia di San Gimignano’., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol. 48 No. 4 (2009): Vitis

Mediante un approccio multidisciplinare comprendente il confronto dei caratteri morfologici, la valutazione agronomico-produttiva, la ricostruzione storico-ampelografica e l'analisi del profilo genetico sono stati descritti e caratterizzati due tra i più importanti vitigni autoctoni pugliesi a bacca bianca, la Verdeca e il Pampanuto. Malgrado si tratti di cultivar da sempre considerate distinte e pertanto separatamente iscritte nel Registro nazionale delle varietà di viti, lo studio ha indicato che in realtà sono sinonimi. L'indagine bibliografica e storica, attraverso la consultazione di documenti e testi di ampelografia, ha fornito nozioni preliminari orientative sulla localizzazione e sulla diffusione geografica dei due vitigni, su eventuali sinonimi e nomi localmente utilizzati, sulle caratteristiche ampelografi che e produttive. Il confronto ampelografico e agronomico è stato condotto attraverso rilievi triennali nel campo collezione del germoplasma di vite del Centro di ricerca e sperimentazione in agricoltura «Basile Caramia» (Crsa) a Locorotondo (Bari), dove sono conservate numerose accessioni di Verdeca e Pampanuto provenienti dalla ventennale attività di selezione clonale e sanitaria condotta in Puglia. Le analisi molecolari eff ettuate sul DNA hanno confermato le similitudini evidenziate dallo studio ampelografico e agronomico, indicando un identico profilo per i due vitigni.

By examining jointly the molecular profiles of grape cultivars, including some exhibiting aromatic flavor, two workgroups have identified the pedigree of a Muscat as descendant from two historical and important European grape varieties: Muscat fleur d’oranger (or Orange muscat), a grape of muscat flavor with a particular note of orange blossom, was apparently derived from a cross between Chasselas and Muscat à petits grains blancs (Muscat blanc). This hypothesis is supported by the presentation of genetic, morphological and historical evidence.

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