In Montenegro, 54 new genotypes were found, of which 21 were found in more than two localities, through scientific genotyping research based on modern genome sequencing technology of old vine samples.
The director of the La Rioja Viticulture and Winery Institute in Spain, Jose Miguel Martinez Zapater, said that the research originated from the company Plantaže with the support of their research team, which is the largest research so far in Montenegro.
"318 samples from all Montenegrin regions were analyzed, which were subjected to molecular and genetic analysis. Analyzing the DNA of those samples and comparing them with existing databases in order to genetically characterize the diversity of the grapevine in Montenegro," Zapater said at the press conference.
He said that in the first part of the analysis, over 100 unknown genetic varieties were found, of which 54 are certainly new genotypes. Varieties that were found in two or more localities represent 21 new genotypes, which were previously unknown to science.
"The main center, that is, the variety that gave birth to all other varieties, is Kratosia, which is the mother or father of more than 33 percent of the varieties grown in this area. The genetic profile of the Montenegrin vines shows the characteristics of traditional wine-growing regions and regions where vines have been cultivated for centuries," specified Zapater.
The main variety for making wine, he added, is Kratoshija, which is related to 18 different varieties of vines that are grown. Rozaklija and Kratošija have produced their offspring, which means that they are the central varieties for the viticulture of Montenegro and that they have been cultivated here for centuries.
"Genetic analysis confirmed the relationship between the paternity of different species and we determined both the mother and the father of the vranac variety. This showed that Kratosia is the father of the crow, and we found the mother, which we need to study further," said Zapater.
As he stated, the research sequenced the first Montenegrin genome - the crow's genome.
"Research has revealed the secret of the crow's color. It contains two copies of the gene for color and anthocyanin production, and many varieties, which do not have such a red color, have only one copy of the gene. This makes the color and characteristics of the wine exceptional," said Zapater.
Professor of the Canadian University of Western Ontario, Miodrag Grbić, assessed that it is important to protect those research results and make viticulture a great heritage of Montenegro that should be used later and in practice.
"It is important that the genetic analysis showed that vines have been cultivated in Montenegro for centuries, and it is such a technological leap as was the bringing of the printing press to Obod," Grbić believes.
He said that the data obtained were unheard of, namely that there are 21 new grape varieties in the country, which has a radius of 150 kilometers.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Petar Ivanović, said that it was a spectacular discovery, with fairly reliable research for 54 new species and absolutely reliable research for 21 new species.
"The harder and better path for us is due to the long-term effects if we develop a variety composition that originates from Montenegro and if we give it emphasis in the future through scientific research and practical production", Ivanović believes.
He said that the next obligation is to register as many of the established 21 species as possible as autochthonous varieties in Montenegro, which will be recorded in the world databases and recognized as originating from these areas.
"I would invite small producers, especially those with old vineyards, to contact the Ministry in order to continue cooperation", added Ivanović.
The director of the company Plantaže, Verica Maraš, said that the company, together with the National Association of Vinegrowers and Winemakers, as well as all relevant institutions in the country, led, implemented and will implement all activities so that the sector will continue to be the leader of Montenegrin agriculture.
"The richness of the autochthonous assortment in Montenegro and the long tradition of growing and producing grapes and wine provide the opportunity for Cran Gora to have an increasingly significant place on the wine map of the world," said Maraš.
The secretary of the Ministry of Science, Smiljana Prelević, said that the project Ecophysiological and molecular aspects of the synthesis and polymerization of flavanols in grapes of the Vranac and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties and their influence on the quality of wine, led by Professor Vesna Maraš, is jointly financed by the Ministries of Science and Agriculture and Rural Development. and the carrier of the research is the company Plantaže.
"The research activities that resulted in a significant contribution in this scientific field related to the examination of the origin, originality, genetic identification and determination of the origin of the variety as well as the Montenegrin germplasm", specified Prelevic.
She concluded that the result of the project represents a significant step forward in scientific research in the field of viticulture and winemaking.
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