PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P. Hinrichsen
AU  - C. Narváez
AU  - J. E. Bowers
AU  - J. M. Boursiquot
AU  - J. Valenzuela
AU  - C. Muñoz
AU  - C. P. Meredith
TI  - Distinguishing Carmenère from Similar Cultivars by DNA Typing
AID  - 10.5344/ajev.2001.52.4.396
DP  - 2001 Jan 01
TA  - American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
PG  - 396--399
VI  - 52
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.ajevonline.org/content/52/4/396.short
4100  - http://www.ajevonline.org/content/52/4/396.full
SO  - Am J Enol Vitic.2001 Jan 01; 52
AB  - A total of 93 vines from five vineyards in Chile that were originally planted as Merlot, four vines from a cultivar collection in Chile, and two vines in California were analyzed with SSR DNA markers to confirm their identity. DNA profiles were compared to those of previously confirmed reference vines. Vines in the Chilean vineyards matched the DNA profiles of either Merlot or Carmenère, consistent with prior visual identification of these vines. The four vines from the cultivar collection matched Carmenère, although they were originally planted as Merlot. Both California vines were confirmed as Carmenère, although one was originally imported as Cabernet franc. Two markers, VVMD28 and VVMD31, are particularly useful for distinguishing Carmenère from Merlot. VVMD31 will also distinguish Cabernet franc from the other two cultivars, as will VVMD27. Although these three cultivars can be distinguished visually, DNA typing is a valuable adjunct for verifying identity, particularly for vines in nurseries and foundation plantings.Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the American Vineyard Foundation, California Fruit Tree, Nut Tree, and Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board, Fondo Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica de Chile, and Fondo de Desarrollo e Innovación de CORFO, Chile.