Ampelographic characterization - preliminary results of the nine most appreciated autochthonous Vitis vinifera L. varieties from Romania

Abstract

The paper presents an up-to-date description of some autochthonous, old and valuable grapevine varieties maintained within the germplasm collection belonging to the University of Agronomical Science and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, respectively 3 varieties for red wines ('Fetească neagră', 'Băbească neagră', ‚Busuioacă de Bohotin') and 6 varieties for white wines ('Fetească albă', 'Fetească regală', 'Galbenă de Odobeşti', 'Grasă de Cotnari', 'Tămâioasă românească' and 'Zghihară de Huşi').  
The results obtained by applying standardized methodology for grape quantitative and qualitative parameters for three consecutive years, reveal the main characteristics for each variety and also the specific genotype response to particular pedoclimatic conditions.  In comparison to 'Cabernet Sauvignon' as reference cultivar, 'Băbească neagră' and 'Busuioacă de Bohotin' varieties were characterized by higher values for the sizes and weights of the berries, and 'Fetească neagră' by heavier bunches and higher sugar juice content.  The white grape varieties in comparison to 'Chardonnay' as reference cultivar, were remarked either by bigger bunches with high to very high sugar content ('Fetească regală', 'Grasă de Cotnari', 'Tămâioasă românească'), or by constancy of bunch weight and titratable acidity of must ('Fetească albă', 'Galbenă de Odobeşti' and 'Zghihară de Huşi').