Douro Vineyards: A Perspective for the Valorization and Conservation of Grapevine Genetic Resources

Abstract

The wine industry is one of the most important industries globally, particularly for Portugal, making a significant contribution to the Portuguese Bioeconomy. The Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) stands out as one of the largest wine-producing areas in the country. Its centuries-old culture has fostered a rich diversity, developed through vegetative and genetic breeding. Within the wine market, the highest prices for grapes are attained only under optimal edaphoclimatic conditions and when phenotypic characteristics, such as berry size and color, flowering and seed number, align favorably. Viticulture is influenced by environmental factors, diseases, and pests, impacting its economic value, profitability, and, ultimately, the employment and economic conditions of those dependent on the crops. Genetic improvement of phenotypic traits offers a faster and more cost-effective means of achieving desirable characteristics, translating into enhanced productivity and wine quality. This work focuses on presenting information about Douro grapes (region, varieties, diseases/pest, and economic value) and explores grapevine genetic diversity, along with approaches to identify genes associated with various desired traits.