Ampelographic and Genetic Characterization of Montenegrin Grapevine Varieties

Abstract

Montenegro is a small country in Balkan Peninsula with very long tradition of grapevine growing and wine making that originate from the pre-Roman period. Dominant place in Montenegrin viticulture belongs to autochthonous grapevine varieties Vranac, Kratosija, and Krstac, while in minor part, the other varieties are presented. Among many literature sources, the oldest historical document that pointed out the importance of autochthonous varieties is The Medieval Statute of Budva from fifteenth century. In order to better present Montenegrin germplasm, this research provides an overview of literature, ampelographic, and genetic analysis on autochthonous and domesticated varieties. Achieved results showed an important breeding history of grapevine and a large number of unique DNA profiles. Montenegro has the richness of grapevine diversity that can significantly enrich the diversity of vines in Europe.

Population genetic analysis in old Montenegrin vineyards reveals ancient ways currently active to generate diversity in Vitis vinifera

“…Fifty genetic profiles were identified as well-known wine, table or multiple-use grape cultivars, most of which were Western Balkan autochthonous varieties. Kratošija and Vranac, the most important cultivars for current Montenegrin viticulture, were also the two most commonly found genotypes across old Montenegrin vineyards, reflecting their relevance in the past century 10,17 . In addition, we identified a significant number of foreign cultivars, supporting historical reports that indicate multiple introduction events in the country from diverse regions at different times and with different aims 6 .…”

“…Modern Montenegrin viticulture and winemaking industries co-exist with a significant number of old and small vineyards managed through traditional techniques 14,15 . Such viticultural tradition was shaped by a unique geographic position, terrain fragmentation and history.…”

“…In accordance with its ancient cultivation in this region, multiple Kratošija biotypes differing in traits like grape yield, cluster compactness or cluster size have been found in Montenegro 14 . In addition, early historical references already indicate the widespread use of Kratošija grapes for traditional winemaking in Montenegro, as reported in the Medieval Statute of Budva 9 , and reflected in folklore traced back to the eighteenth century 10 . Although definitive proof to establish the birthplace of an ancient variety cannot be provided, our results and the mentioned evidence support that Kratošija might have originated somewhere within Montenegro, agreeing with previous findings 51 .…”

“…Vranac is considered an old autochthonous Montenegrin grape variety used for local red wine production for centuries 10 , and it was already described as a black-berried Montenegrin cultivar in the Traité général de viticulture of Viala and Vermorel (1909) under the name "Vranatz-Krstatch" 52 . Previous reports indicate the existence of a first-degree relationship between Kratošija and Vranac 32 .…”

“…Wine production continued during the Byzantine period, and documents like the Medieval Statute of Budva reflects the importance of grapevine cultivation in Montenegro in the Middle Ages. The Statute, dated between 1,426 and 1,442, includes the relevance of certain grapevine varieties for local wine production 9 , 10 , like the cultivar “Cratosia”, probably referring to the grape cultivar currently known as Kratošija (meaning short-neck in Montenegrin) 9 . Later, many vineyards were destroyed during the Ottoman period, and only some survived in remote regions in the center of the country and in several parts of the coastal regions controlled by Venice 6 .…”