Relationships and Genetic Diversity within the Accessions Related to Malvasia Held in the Domaine de Vassal Grape Germplasm Repository

Abstract

Several types of grape varieties have been traditionally considered under the generic term of Malvasia, often with a complementing name related to geographic origin. We examined 56 Malvasia accessions presently maintained and 14 accessions introduced previously but no longer maintained at Domaine de Vassal (INRA) grape collection. Accessions were analyzed by ampelography and/or with 20 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers, allowing us to individualize 49 varieties and propose a list of synonyms for 37 varieties. Eight accessions are unique to the collection and no other name can be proposed. Parentage analysis clarified the origin of 10 varieties. Data analysis showed that the use of Malvasia or related names is not justified for 29 varieties. Twenty other varieties could rightly be considered as Malvasia, particularly when no other name or synonym is known, even if this generic term may be a source of confusion. Within Malvasia varieties, eight have some muscat or aromatic flavor and the majority have white berries.