Ampelographic and genetic studies into 'Teran'/'Refošk' grapes in Istria (Croatia) – one or two varieties?

Abstract

'Teran' and 'Refosk' grapes are traditionally grown on the Istrian peninsula, a region encompassing three diff erent national territories (Croatia, Slovenia and Italy). Th e question of identity of these grape varieties has therefore intrigued stakeholders in the wine industry for many years now. Th e confusion about their identity has also led to problems related to labeling planting material and protecting designation of origin for 'Teran' wines at the level of the EU. Th is paper details the history of this problem with an outline of past research. It then shows the results of ampelographic and genetic characterization of selected samples of 'Teran'/'Refosk' vines of diff erent age and origin, all from Istrian vineyards.Th e results show that these are two diff erent grape varieties (on the basis of 21 SSR loci), but also that these are phenotypically similar grape varieties (on the basis of OIV descriptors), which might have been the main reason for the confusion. Finally, the paper defi nes characteristic morphological diff erences which enable us to distinguish them on a practical level.

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