Neglected cultivars for the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region (East Georgia): ampelography, phenology, and agro-climatology

Georgia is an important source of grapevine intra-specific variability for viticulture. This biodiversity can be a suitable tool to face the challenge of climate change. Nevertheless, it is important to take into account the interaction between the interest genotype and the local environment, whose climate is changing due to global heating. In this work, we put in relation the phenotypic behavior of some neglected Georgian cultivars (‘Tabidziseuli’, ‘Daisi’, ‘Qvelouri’, ‘Bazaleturi Colikouri’) from the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Georgian region to the agro-climatology of the region itself. The phenological phases and the vegetation length of these four grape varieties were described, as well as their principal ampelographic characters. The impact of global heating on the agro-climatology of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region has also been established, by comparing the sum of active temperatures (>10°C) of multi-years (1948-2017) with those calculated for the future scenario (2020-2050, temperature increase by 2°C). Based on this comparison, three agro-climatic zones have been confirmed within the region: dry subtropical, mountain and high mountain. The scenario of temperature increase by 2°C in the next three decades will cause the sum of active temperatures to reach 3900-4000°C in the dry subtropical zone, 3400-3500°C in the mountain zone and 1900-2000°C in the high mountain zone. Considering the vegetation length of the cultivars analyzed, it can be expected a shift of the most suitable sites for viticulture from the dry subtropical zone to the mountain area. High mountain seems not to be suitable for the cultivation of the studied cultivars. Given this environmental variability within the region, the increase in temperature will not suppress viticulture in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, if the real temperature does not exceed the level predicted by scenario

Biological and technological characteristics of Georgian wine and table grapes

Georgian grapevine germplasm, which has formed for thousands of years, includes white, black, red, pink and grey 525 Vitis vinifera cultivars. In 2009–2014 up to 440 local grapevine varieties Vitis vinifera sativa has been restored. These varieties are cultivated in the LEPL Agriculture Scientific-Research Center grapevine collection GEO 038, Mtskheta Munisipal, village Jighaura, at an altitude 550 m. There are retrieved and recorded in the collection up to 60 forms of Vitis vinifera silvestris. In order to study biological and technological characteristics of Georgian grapevine, in 2012–2014 were investigated 50 Georgian widely cultivated white and colored wine and table grapes varieties, in the seven viticulture regions of Georgia. Description of grapevine varieties implemented through the descriptors for grapevine (IPGRI OIV). Botanical, biological-technological, qualitative and quantitative marks are characterized and evaluated. Investigation conducted during the biologic development phases were studied for chemical and eno-carpological characteristics

Biological and technological characteristics of Georgian wine and table grapes

Georgian grapevine germplasm, which has formed for thousands of years, includes white, black, red, pink and grey 525 Vitis vinifera cultivars. In 2009–2014 up to 440 local grapevine varieties Vitis vinifera sativa has been restored. These varieties are cultivated in the LEPL Agriculture Scientific-Research Center grapevine collection GEO 038, Mtskheta Munisipal, village Jighaura, at an altitude 550 m. There are retrieved and recorded in the collection up to 60 forms of Vitis vinifera silvestris. In order to study biological and technological characteristics of Georgian grapevine, in 2012–2014 were investigated 50 Georgian widely cultivated white and colored wine and table grapes varieties, in the seven viticulture regions of Georgia. Description of grapevine varieties implemented through the descriptors for grapevine (IPGRI OIV). Botanical, biological-technological, qualitative and quantitative marks are characterized and evaluated. Investigation conducted during the biologic development phases were studied for chemical and eno-carpological characteristics