How is the adaptation of piwi grapes in Minas Gerais?

The Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (Epamig) is in the testing phase to adapt piwi grapes, of Italian origin, in the south of the state. In collaboration with Vinícola Stella Valentino, from Andradas, and with financial support from Fapemig, the project received an experimental vineyard in October 2021, provided by the Italian nursery Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, containing hybrids of red and white grapes for evaluation, as reported the State Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Minas Gerais.

The term “piwi” is a German abbreviation for “disease resistance.” According to the Secretariat of Agriculture, in Brazil, these varieties are registered with the Ministry of Agriculture as Vitis vinifera. “This is a new generation of European hybrids, obtained by backcrossing and selection assisted by molecular markers, which present more than 85% of genes from the Vitis Vinifera species, to which the grape varieties used to make fine wines belong,” explains Epamig researcher Claudia Souza, who coordinates the work, together with the research team at Campo Experimental de Caldas.

At the end of 2023, the vines of eight of the hybrids tested had their first harvests, resulting in four white wines (Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Rytos, Fleurtai and Soreli) and four red wines (Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Volos, Merlot Khantus and Merlot Khorus) . These wines underwent a sensory evaluation this April, carried out by a panel of 21 tasters, which included researchers, technicians, winegrowers and consumers. The wines evaluated received an overall score above 70%.

Cláudia Souza observes that “in this first harvest, the cultivars were very productive, with yields varying from 1kg to 3kg per plant”. She also highlights that “these experimental wines were made with minimal interference during the winemaking process”, and the results indicate “the good productive and oenological potential of these varieties in the south of Minas Gerais”.

The study is ongoing, and for more robust conclusions, it will be necessary to evaluate another summer harvest, according to information from the Department of Agriculture. Piwis grape varieties are being tested for the summer harvest, with harvest between November and January. This differs from the methodology of double pruning the vine, which has become established in the production of fine wines in the Southeast region and in other parts of Brazil, consisting of two prunings so that the grapes are harvested in winter, during the dry period.