The cultivation suitability of six grape varieties in South Tyrol Überetsch

Abstract

During the years 2004 to 2006, in the south-tyrolian subregion Überetsch, several cultivars were examined with regards to their aptitude to replace or to be added to the autochthonous variety Vernatsch. The question was: either the can be vinified mono-varietally or act as a partner in a blend. The 6 cultivars examined were the following: Merlot, Diolinoir, Tempranillo, Rebo, Teroldego and Viognier all planted in 4 different vineyard-sites. Differences in chemical analytics are insomuch significant that the cultivars can be clearly distinguished. The demand on the vinyard-site´s characteristics depend to some extent on the cultivar. However, generally speaking, during the examination period the influence of the vineyard-site was marginal to negligible. Nevertheless, Tempranillo, as an example, is more demanding with regards to the vineyard-site selection, than Teroldego or Merlot. In respect of analytical data, Tempranillo shows the most similarity to Vernatsch; whereas Teroldego, Diolinoir and Rebo are way off from there. Teroldego is the most similar to Lagrein. The data and results obtained demonstrate, with a few restrictions, a general aptitude of the examined cultivars to be cultivated in the area mentioned above.