Study and evaluate indigenous wine grape varieties as well as indigenous yeasts from localized spotted vineyards of organic or natural culture, and to highlight and promote their potential special characteristics by applying state of the art - next generation genetic analyses, in order to: 1. protect them as part of our ancient cultural and natural heritage 2. promote them both in Greece and abroad as well as commercially exploit them 3. increase the added value of the final product (grape, wine, vineyard to be transplanted etc.) from the primary (vine growers) and secondary (winemakers, nurseries, companies providing services in the wine industry) production.
In several European countries, the identification (and at a next level the certification) of grapevine varieties constitutes a comparative advantage compared to unidentified/uncertified ones and give significant added value to the vine as well as to the final product (grape and wine) with an increase in the final price. Moreover, they are also a key criterion for the qualitative separation of the wines and therefore their financial value. It would not be excessive to emphasize that the identified indigenous grapevine variety is itself a commercial product for consumption and export. Furthermore, it is of enormous national importance to reinforce the export of the final product (either as wine or grape) through methods of quality product upgrading and quality assurance. At the same time, modern marketing tools exploit the issue with promotion techniques as well as promotion throughout the advertising and marketing chain of the product with an emphasis on the label of the bottle. The economic significance of the results of the research project is extremely important for the development of the wine sector in the regions of Greece and it will be achieved by using the most suitable indigenous grapevine varieties (types or clones) of verified genetic composition for the establishment of productive vineyards, resulting in the improvement of the quality of wine products in their traditional cultivation centers. The grapevine varieties that will be studied are: Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, Kotsifali, Tsardana, Melissaki, Mavordafni, Moschato aspro, Malagousia, Zakinthino, Skiadopoulo, Assyrtiko, Aidani, Mavrathiro, Mavrotragano, Xinomavro, Koiniariko, Asprouda Serrwn, Papas Karas, Moschato mavro, Ritino, Fokiano. The micro-vinifications will take place in the participating wineries Γεωργιάδης - Σπινθηροπούλου Ο.Ε in Northern Greece, ΚΤΗΜΑ ΣΙΓΑΛΑ ΟΙΝΟΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΗ Α.Ε. in Santorini island, ΕΝΙΑΙΟΣ ΟΙΝΟΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΟΣ ΑΓΡΟΤΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΝΕΤΑΙΡΙΣΜΟΣ ΣΑΜΟΥ in Samos island, Α.Ο.Σ. Τυρνάβου in Tyrnavos. The production of the propagating material will be carried out by Vitro-Hellas. The ampelographic description, identification and discrimination as well as virus control will be carried out by the Laboratory of Viticulture (Agricultural University of Athens) and the Laboratories of Viticulture and Phytopathology (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). Equally important will be the contribution of the Laboratory of Biological and Biotechnological Applications of the Department of Agriculture of Greek Mediterranean University, of the Institute of Computer Science of FORTH, of the Department of Biology of the University of Crete and of Novacert.
