Genetics: Origin of European wine grapes
A paper suggesting that European wine grapes may be derived from a cross between raw edible grapes cultivated in western Asia and local wild grapes is published in Nature Communications.This finding provides clues to the history and genetic ancestry of European wine grapes.
Grapes have been cultivated in the eastern Mediterranean for nearly 4000 years and in Western Europe for nearly 2000 years.However, the origin of European wine grapes, including varieties such as Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, is controversial.Previous studies suggest that European wine grapes began with the cultivation of Europe's own wild grape varieties, independent of their cultivation in West Asia.
Now, Michele Morgante, Gabriele Di Gaspero and colleagues have analyzed the genome (204 points) of Vitis vinifera to investigate the origin of European wine grapes. Morgante et al. Argue that the grapes originated from a single cultivation in West Asia (most likely South Caucasus) and then went through multiple matings with European wild grape populations. ing.Morgante et al. Also identified genetic characteristics that indicate the cultivated and breeding choices that determine the grapes used in modern winemaking, comparable to wild grape varieties and varieties used in modern winemaking. It was revealed that genetic diversity was found.In addition, the findings suggest that Italian and French grape varieties have the highest genetic diversity among the cultivated grape varieties of European countries included in the samples studied. ..
[Original English »]
"Highlights of Nature Magazines" is a translation of a release made by Nature's public relations department for the press.If you need more accurate and detailed information, be sure to read the original paper.
* This article is reprinted from "Nature Japan Featured Highlights".
Reprinted from: "Genetics: The Origin of European Wine Grape'
