Rakija is a strong alcoholic beverage, deeply rooted in Macedonian cultural heritage, where quality varies significantly between industrial, small-scale, and traditional home producers. This study evaluated sensory and chemical differences among three types of producers using 30 samples of rakija from grapes (10 per group). The chemical analysis included gas chromatography (GC) for volatile compounds and analytical methods for alcohol content, specific gravity, and extract. The sensory analysis was performed by a trained panel (6 assessors) following OIV 100-point scoring scale. Spearman's rank correlation was used for statistical data analysis. Sensory results revealed greater variability in odour and taste (CV 14-29%). Isobutanol showed a significant negative correlation with quality (ρ = -0.43 to -0.46, p < 0.017), while extreme variability in esters (CV >100%, ethyl acetate up to 5,654 mg/L) and furfural (CV 383%) was detected. In contrast, the extract content positively influenced the balance (ρ = 0.43-0.50, p < 0.017) in all of the samples. Between the producer's groups, the traditional samples had more unpleasant aromas due to improper distillation and fermentation, as confirmed by the chemical analysis results where ethyl acetate reached up to 5,654 mg/L. Routine sensory-chemical correlations can aid quality assessment, linking traditional heritage with modern distillation methods in Macedonian rakija production.

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most important horticultural crops, with thousands of varieties cultivated worldwide. In this study, we analyzed chloroplast SNV markers using a whole-genome shotgun sequencing approach to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeny of 409 cultivated V. vinifera accessions originating from nine countries across Southeast and Central Europe, as well as a heterogeneous set of additional accessions maintained by INRAE. Shotgun sequencing allowed high coverage, enabling the detection of 93 SNVs across 24 chloroplast genes, including 11 non-synonymous variants. The ycf1 gene showed the highest variability, consistent with its role in species differentiation. Haplotype analysis revealed 102 distinct haplotypes, with clear geographic structuring: ATT predominated in the eastern Mediterranean, ATA in western Europe, and GTA mainly in a heterogeneous group of varieties from a French collection. To validate the shotgun approach, seven SNV markers were analyzed using target capture sequencing, confirming the accuracy of detected variants with only minimal discrepancies, which is mostly attributable to homopolymeric regions and low-frequency alleles. Phylogenetic analyses using both trees and networks delineated three major haplotype clusters, reflecting human-mediated dispersal of grapevine cultivars through historical viticultural practices. This study represents the largest chloroplast genome analysis of cultivated V. vinifera to date, providing a large cpDNA resource for assessing chloroplast diversity and maternal haplotype structure in cultivated grapevine. The results highlight the power of combining high-throughput sequencing and chloroplast genomics for population-level studies in perennial crops.

In this research study, we presented the results of the chemical analysis conducted on fruits of indigenous varieties and populations of several fruit species, namely cherries, pomegranates and apples, as well as grapes and vegetables such as pep-pers and tomatoes. Among the samples analyzed, the pepper populations exhibited the highest concentration of vitamin C, measured at 51.25 mg/100g. Conversely, the lowest levels of vitamin C were observed in apples and grapes, approximately 9 mg/100g. When considering the overall antioxidant activity, tomatoes and peppers displayed the largest proportion of vitamin C, accounting for over 75 mg/100g. Furthermore, the highest quantity of anthocyanins was found in cherries, specifically 394.30 mg/kg FW (FW = Fresh Weight). Pomegranate varieties exhibited the greatest content of total phenols, measuring 5359.43 mg/kg FW, along with the highest fruit antioxidant activity, showing 81.58 % inhibition. As for apple varieties, they contained the highest amount of flavan-3-ols, reaching 517.98 mg/kg FW.Our analysis revealed a positive correlation between total phenols and antioxidant activity, as well as between total phenols and flavan-3-ols. Additionally, a moderate negative correlation was identified between vitamin C and flavan-3-ols.

Our studies included some autochthonous and regional grape varieties grown in the Republic of North Macedonia. The autochthonous varieties were examined - White winter, Konchanka, Stanushina, Ohrid black and Ohrid white, and the regional varieties - Vranec, Prokupec, Smederevka, Zilavka and Zupljanka were examined. The tests were divided into three methodological units. The first method was applied to all varieties - data collection, history and comparison with other tests. The second method was performed on all varieties - ampelographic identification because we had samples from all varieties. In some of the varieties, the third method was performed, that is, genetic (DNA) identification was made in the period from 2010 to 2020 in different examination centers and at different times. The results are compared with the results of a study by Professor M. Aradhya of the USDA Research Center, Davis CA, USA. He has performed a wide range of genetic identification on a number of autochthonous varieties in Europe and Asia, including varieties in the Balkans. With the second method of examination - ampelographic identification according to O.I.V. descriptors we got the most realistic results. An ampelographic description of certain characteristics of the individual organs of the vine was performed and it was concluded that the varieties according to their anatomical and physiological characteristics belong to 2 groups: ecological-geographical group Black Sea varieties, subgroup Balcanica and ecological-geographical group Eastern varieties, subgroup Antasiatica.

The contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, and the fruit antioxidant activity of 9 pomegranate varieties (‘Zumnarija’, ‘Bejnarija’, ‘Valandovska kisela’, ‘Valandovska kiselo-slatka’, ‘Hidjas’, ‘Kisela’, ‘Karamustafa’, ‘Lifanka’, and ‘Ropkavec’) were examined. Autochthonous pomegranate varieties contained 4354.4 – 6480.9 mg/kg FW total phenols, 160 – 698.2 mg/kg FW anthocyanins, 96.9 – 157.2 mg/kg FW flavan-3-ols, and high antioxidant activity of fruits (71.2 - 92.5% inhibition). The ‘Valandovska kisela’ variety had the highest content of total phenolics (6480.87 mg/kg FW), flavan-3-ols (157.190 mg/kg FW) and higher fruit antioxidant activity (92.5% inhibition) compared to the standard ‘Karamustafa’ variety and the other autochthonous varieties. The ‘Hidjas’ variety had the highest content of anthocyanins (698.20 mg/kg FW). A positive correlation (0.9815) was found between the content of total phenolics and the fruit antioxidant activity. A moderate positive, insignificant correlation was also found between the content of flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins.

In this paper, some bioactive antioxidants have been tested in several grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) present in R.N. Macedonia. Grapes are a source of various nutrients that are beneficial to the human body in many ways. A grape, as a raw material and its final processing - wine is a complex of many chemical substances and compounds that are responsible for many visible and sensory characteristics that are manifested in varieties (phenotypic). Those chemical compounds are; carbohydrates, organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, vitamins, polyphenols, minerals, nitrogen compounds, etc. Specifically, in our case, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and phenolic compounds (total phenols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ol and antioxidant activity) were tested in several autochthonous grape varieties and one standard variety (Belo zimsko, Stanushina, Crn valandovski drenok, Crven valandovski drenok and Palieri as standard). The tested chemicals are of great importance in their consumption in the human diet. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-mutation effects and reduce the risk of cardiovascular, degenerative and other chronic diseases. The most important for this group of compounds is that they determine the color, astringency, bitterness and some organoleptic and sensory characteristics of grapes and wine.

Rebo (Rigotti 107-3) is a vine variety that originates from Trentino, north Italy. It was selected by the researcher Rebo Rigotti by crossing the varieties Merlot x Terlodego at the agriculture and forest experimental station in S. Michele all’ Adige. According to the literature the idea of the breeder was to produce new variety that would be similar to Merlot but more resistant to cold climate conditions. Our idea to plant Rebo in Macedonia was to grow this variety on sites with higher altitude locations that are difficult for growing Merlot. The vineyard for this study is located in the north part of Macedonia on the mountain German near the town of Kriva Palanka, area typical for growing frost resistant varieties. In this research paper we analyzed the mechanical structure of the grape cluster and berries, the quantity of sugar and titratable acids in the grapes. In the wine we analyzed the quantity of total phenols, total anthocyanins, wine colour (CI;H), total flavan-3-ols and standard chemical analysis of the wine.

In R. Macedonia has many domestic (autochthonous) or domesticated varieties of vines. Many of them are similar to some varieties of from neighboring countries, and some of them are very different between them, and are also differ from the other varieties. It depends on heritable traits of their ancestors and their origins, from the centers of origin. They represent undiscovered source of many genes that are carriers of positive properties and predominantly transmitted to future generations. Many of them are unidentified and not known their exact origin. Therefore efforts are made with certain adequate methods to identify (ampelographic, ampelometric, DNA identification).In our research we covered several table and wine varieties of grapevine from different vineyards through R. Macedonia. In the trials used methods for determination of cytogenetic status according O.I.V. system of descriptors (number of chromosomes, ploidy level, germination of pollen, meiosis, type and characteristics of the flower, etc.). We used statistical computer processing by (SPSS) program.Obtained are interesting results in terms of the structure of the flower and the cell division that indicate the similarity between them and their common origin.

The study presents the analysis of the influence of summer pruning operations (defoliation, cluster thinning) on the parameters of a potential productivity of winter buds at the vine variety Vranec grown near Veles in the period 2013-2015. For this research, four treatments were set: control, defoliation and two types of cluster thinning: 10 and 6 clusters per vine. From the obtained results it is found that there are no injuries in the main winter buds during the vegetation period and the potential fruitfulness is determined by higher coefficient, 1.38, which depends on the location along the cane. The yield at this variety will be formed mainly by clusters with size of 350-550 μm, followed by those with the length of 550-750 μm. The application of defoliation and regulation of the vine yield has a beneficial effect on increasing the rate of potential fruitfulness of winter buds, the number of buds with 2 and 3 clusters, increasing the inflorescences with a length of 350-550 μm and the appearance of those longer than 750 μm.

Nedelkovski, D., J. Cvetković, K. Beleski and H. Poposka, 2017. Phenolic composition of Vranec grapevine cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) grafted on different rootstock. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (3): 389–395 The objective of this work comprises the content of phenolic compounds in grape and wine produced by Vranec grapevine cultivar grafted on four different rootstocks (Teleki, Fercal, Rupestris Du Lot and Chasselas 41B). Total phenols, total fl avan3-ols, total anthocyanins and total fl avonoids in the grape berries, separately in seeds, pulp and skin were determined. Three months later, the same parameters were analyzed in the wine obtained by the investigated grape variety. The fi eld investigations showed that Teleki and Fercal were more vigorous rootstocks than Rupestris Du Lot and Chasselas 41B, but there was not signifi cant deference in the phenological stages between the rootstocks. The grape clusters of Vranec grafted on Fercal and Teleki were larger than Rupestris Du Lot and Chasselas 41B. The results obtained from the laboratory analysis showed higher level of total phenols in the berries of Vranec grafted on Teleki rootstock, higher level of total anthocyanins in the berries of Vranec grafted on Chasselas 41B rootstock, higher level of total fl avonoids in the berries of Vranec grafted on Rupestris Du Lot rootstock and the higher level of total fl avan-3-ols in the berries of Vranec grafted on Fercal rootstock. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software 14.0. The differences were evaluated by ANOVA analysis through General Linear Model (GLM) procedure. After GLM analyses post hoc comparison of means were calculated by LSD (Least Signifi cant Difference). Results were expressed at the P = 0.05 level of signifi cance.

Conservation of grapevine genetic resources is an important and long lasting task. Here, partners of the InWiGrape Activity of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources have proposed a set of descriptors that will assist in identification, conservation and study of genetic resources of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris. A distribution map of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris populations in Europe was produced, with on-line access through the European Vitis Database. The several different aspects of conservation of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris including bibliographical references, identification in the wild, in situ and ex situ conservation have been discussed. The descriptors and the map will assist different stakeholders, working on biodiversity and ecosystems in more effective conservation of wild grapevine genetic resources.

Material and Methods: The 14 examinated varieties belong to the convarietas Pontica Negr., subconvarietas balcanica, from which 10 are red varieties ('Blatina', 'Vranec', 'Kratoshija', 'Teran', 'Prokupec', 'Kadarka', 'Stanushina', 'Melnik', 'Mavrud' and 'Plovdina') and 4 are white varieties ('Sipon', 'Zilavka', 'Zupljanka' and 'Smederevka'). Some of this cultivars are autochthonous and have been cultivated since long time in the Macedonian vineyards ('Stanushina') while others have been introduced after the phylloxera appearance ('Prokupec', 'Teran',). 'Vranec' (synonym 'Vranac') transferred in Macedonia in 1950 (NASTEV 1967) and 'Kratosija', are Montenegrin autochthonous grapevine varieties (NASTEV 1967, BOZINOVIC 2010). The varieties

Polyphenols have a significant impact on the quality of the red wine grape varieties. Certain amphelotechnical measures and technological pro­cesses affect directly the content of polyphenols in grapes and wine. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of different crop load of the vine and length of maceration of grape pomace on polyphenolic content and sensory properties of Vranac cultivar which represents the leading red variety in the Republic of Macedonia. Studied the different crop load of the vine (control, variant 1 with a 25% reduction of the yield, variant 2 - 35% reduction of the yield and a variant of 3- 50% reduction of the yield) as well as different times of maceration (7days and 14 days) on the phenolic composition of wine. Test results showed a positive correlation between the crop load and the content of total polyphenols, ie, reducing the number of bunches per vine comes to an increase in the content of total polyphenols in wine as well as length of maceration achieves the same correlation.

The paper investigates the impact and the selection of grape vari­eties, as well as finding out, improvement and implementation of the most appropriate technological processes and production methods on the quality of strong alcoholic drinks from grape. We examined grape varieties such as Smederevka and Vranac that are present in Macedonia as well as table cultivar Afus Ali for brandy production. The intensities of the different types of the applied technologies in the production of three types of brandies: wine brandy, grape brandy and pomace brandy. In this context, we studied the effects of fine lees on quality of winebrandy, the impact of stem presence and time of distillation on the quality of grape and pomace brandy. Chemical and gas chromatographic analysis was performed and brandies were sensory evaluated. The effect of technological processes on the sensory characteristics was determined, as well.

The influence of nine dvvarf appie rootstocks on vegetative and reproductive characteristics, yield, yield efflciency and fruit quality was evaluated on ’Granny Smith' apple variety. The experimentai orchard was established in 2004, with a planting distance 3.5 m x 1.5 m. The study has been performed during three consecutive years (2008-2010). Among the common majör characteristics, the fruit quality vvas investigated as vvell. For that purpose, some macro and micro elements vvere analyzed in soil, leafs and apple fruits.

Polyphenols have a significant impact on the quality of the red wine grape varieties. Certain amphelotechnical measures and technological processes affect directly the content of polyphenols in grapes and wine. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of different crop load of the vine and length of maceration of grape pomace on polyphenolic content and sensory properties of Vranac cultivar which represents the leading red variety in the Republic of Macedonia. Studied the different crop load of the vine (control, variant 1 with a 25% reduction of the yield, variant 2 35% reduction of the yield and a variant of 350% reduction of the yield) as well as different times of maceration (7 days and 14 days) on the phenolic composition of wine. Test results showed a positive correlation between the crop load and the content of total polyphenols, ie, reducing the number of bunches per vine

A collection of 196 grapevine samples from five countries of the Western Balkan region, representing local and traditional cultivars, was genotyped with 22 SSR markers. Identity analysis revealed 125 unique genotypes, which were further used for diversity assessment. The average number of alleles per locus detected was 11 ± 3.53, ranging from 6 to 21. The low cumulative probability of identical genotypes (2.96 × 10−20) shown in this study implies an even distribution of alleles within the analyzed set of grapevines and a sufficient number of loci. On the basis of the discriminatory power of each SSR, a set of five markers (VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD28, VChr3a, and VChr8b) was determined as sufficient for high-throughput discrimination of the target cultivars. The maximum discriminating power was evidenced for loci VVMD28 and Vchr8b (0.96, 0.94, respectively). A core collection covering the entire genetic diversity resulted in a set of 60 genotypes representing approximately 50 % of the samples from each country. Structure clustering of Balkan and West European cultivars resulted in four well distinct groups identified according to the classification of Negrul (1946). The lowest level of admixed genotypes was assigned for grapevines from Bosnia and Herzegovina (61 %) and the highest for Serbian (87 %) grapevines. In terms of grape use, the wine cultivars were divided into three groups and the fourth group was intermixed, with half wine and half table grapes. The highest Nei’s genetic distance (0.22) was discovered between Slovenian and Macedonian cultivars, while the lowest (0.09) was between Slovenian and Serbian cultivars. Macedonian cultivars were genetically most distant from the others (0.17). A similar pattern of differentiation among populations is seen with distance-based clustering. Analysis of molecular variance revealed only 1 % of genetic variation among groups of different origin, while the variation among individuals within geographical groups and within individuals explained 13 and 86 % of the total variation, respectively.