VALOVITIS, the value of minority or endangered vine varieties in the Pyrenean foothills

Abstract

The VALOVITIS project aims at improving the competitiveness of the wineries in the Pyrenean piedmont area through innovation and differentiation in a global market. During two consecutive harvests (2016-17), VALOVITIS monitored and characterised the agronomic behaviour of 20 grape varieties in the vineyards of the Germplasm Bank of the Government of Aragon in La Alfranca, Pastriz (Zaragoza). This work also assessed the technological and sensory properties of the wines produced following a basic winemaking protocol. Some of the varieties selected in this project, like the white variety 'Greta' and the red variety 'Parrel', showed a high potential to adapt to arid climates and to produce wines with a singular organoleptic profile.