Several certified 'Pinot blanc' clones available at a local market were evaluated under specific viticultural conditions. Small but relevant differences in agronomic behaviour could be recognized. Clones A9-1, Fr74, H31 and N81 showed higher yield, while clones Lb16 and 18, Fr70 and 74 and N81 reached higher berry sugar contents. Clone Fr74 showed the most vigorous growth. Clones Fr70 and Dreher209 produced wines with the highest quality ratings. Analysis of essential aroma compounds by HS-SPME-GC-SIM-MS reveals that the clone Dreher209 is characterized by high values of terpenes and floral aroma. Pear-specific odour activity values (OAVpear) presented as sensorial-analytical typograms were calculated from the analysed concentrations of eight esters in clones. The overall OAVpear of the wines ranged from 37.5 (H31, 2016) to 84.3 (N81, 2017). The largest contributors to the pear OAV were the impressions for “exotic pear candy” and “oily waxy pear-like”. The sum of OAV “fresh pear” and “overripe pear” ranged from 6.9 (H31, 2016) to 16.1 (N81, 2017). However, an influence of vintage on the sensorial descriptors “overripe pear” and “OAV pear” was determined. A positive correlation between sugar content °Babo KMW and the descriptors for “fresh pear” and “overripe pear” is likely. Thus, clone H31 showed the lowest sugar content and lowest OAV fresh pear and OAV overripe pear content. The genetic variability was estimated by applying fingerprints with simple sequence repeat (SSR), inter-SSR and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The certified clones are characterized by less variability compared with some other candidate genotypes involved in this study. No stable differences could be found in A9-1, A9-3, A9-4, C311, Fr70, or N81. That means that the clones investigated do not cover the broader genetic base of the cultivar, and that some of these clones are almost identical.

Ten European clones and selections of 'Muscat blanc' were investigated about their variability in genetic and enological behavior. The SSR profile of about 120 loci allowed to differentiate most of them. Nevertheless the differences within the variety are rare and do not reflect the heterogeneity of observed variability. One of the clones (B41/5) represents an earlier ripening type where the overall quality was independent from sugar content. A 27-1 clone was one of the clones with steady high rating concerning wine quality. An interesting alternative for early ripening areas could be the late ripening 'Goldmuskateller' due to the higher stability against Botrytis. One of the samples was not true to type and represented this cultivar.

'Gruener Veltliner' is the main cultivar in Austrian viticulture. About 30% of the national production is derived from this grapevine. Recently, in some wine districts, 'Gruener Veltliner' has been used for producing monovarietal wines with controlled origin (Districtus Austriae Controllatus, DAC). In order to reach a typical sensorial profile of the wine, linked to the cultivar from which the wine is derived, two of the most decisive steps are to improve the homogeneity of the material and to use the recommend clones. Therefore, we analysed clones and types of 'Gruener Veltliner' according to their sensorial behaviour, their differences in aroma compounds, and their genetic profiles. Sensorial description was done by a panel test. The desired prototype is a spicy and peppery wine with stone-fruit aroma. The aromatic compounds that differentiated the clones were mostly found in acids, phenolics, and sulphur related compounds. The genetic differences of the clones were investigated using 270 SSR markers. Based on these data, the relationship between the types was calculated and their differences were demonstrated.

Three biological races of Erinose (Eriophyes vitis Pgst. sin Colomerus vitis Pgst.) commonly attack vineyards every year. A genetic map Welschriesling x Sirius (Mandl et al. 2006) was used as the basis of QTL (quantitative trait loci) analysis for Erinose. The symptoms were evaluated in five consecutive years in 92 individuals from this segregating population and other OIV traits related to the density of hairs in different tissues were also scored. QTL analysis was performed on all data using Plabqtl version 1.1. A major QTL for Erinose sensitivity was identified and reproducible every year on linkage group 9d close to the SSR marker VMC5c1. Two additional smaller QTLs could also be identified in linkage groups 5 and 17. The fact that some OIV traits related to the density of hairs were linked to the same group of the genetic map, is also discussed.

Sixteen accessions of the grapevine cultivar 'Wildbacher' coming from different European repositories and from Styrian and Italian private vineyards were analysed by genetic fingerprinting with SSR markers. Five different molecular profiles were found, confirming that the name 'Wildbacher' is commonly used as a homonym. Several new genotypes could be linked to the previous list of the 'Wildbacher' family. In particular, in Italian commercial vineyards two main 'Wildbacher' varieties defined by A and B genetic profiles were found. They correspond to the two reference genotypes from Styria, 'Wildbacher Blau' ('Blauer Wildbacher)' and 'Wildbacher Spatblau'. In both countries 'Wildbacher Blau' represents the most spread and better performing type and it is earlier ripening compared to 'Wildbacher Spatblau'. They were morphologically and genetically very similar to each other and they shared at least one allele at each of the 11 SSR loci analyzed for cultivar identification. Three different other 'Wildbacher' genotypes from a German collection were identified as individual cultivars. While 'Rotblattriger' (genotype C) and 'Fruhblau' from Germany (genotype D) showed some genetic similarity with A and B genotypes, E 'Wildbacher', coming from Hungary, proved to have a distinct genetic profile. Close relationship to the key variety (for the development of European diversity) 'Heunisch' is indicated by sharing one allele at all loci investigated so far. There exist some indications that the second parent is an extinct wild vine. Evaluation of morphological parameters resulted in some differences among all five genotypes.

Nineteen new microsatellite loci of Vitis were elaborated by following the procedure of tagging an SSRenriched library. Primers for these VRG markers were used for genotyping grapevines. Only the markers VRG 1, VRG 2, VRG 4, VRG 7, VRG 9, VRG 10, VRG 15 and VRG 16 show heterozygous alleles and Mendelian segregation. Other VRG loci such as VRG 5, VRG 6, VRG 11, VRG 12 VRG 13 and VRG 17 produce a multiallelic profile and some of them show distorted segregation. Variability of the VRG loci is rather high as compared to other grapevine SSR markers. Stable VRG markers such as VRG 16 can be useful for the identification of cultivars. Highly variable VRG microsatellites could be successfully applied to trace polymorphism within the variety Pinot Noir. Clones of Pinot Noir could be differentiated using these markers. By applying the PhyQuest program, a dendrogramm showing the genetic divergence within Pinot Noir clones was constructed.

In the riparian woods of Danube and March east of Vienna 87 wild specimens of Vitis vinifera ssp. silvestris were genetically analysed and compared. The silvestris population can be split into 6 distinct groups, but this clustering cannot be explained solely by the geographical distance. The unique genetic variability observed represents a strong case for preservation of wild grapevines.The incidence of bacterioses, viroses and nematodes transmitting nepoviruses to these vines were registered. None of the analysed specimens suffered from Agrobacterium vitis-induced crown gall. Only some vines were infected by viral pathogens such as GLRaVI and SLRV. Thus the wild vines do not constitute a risk for the surrounding commercial vineyards. On the other hand, diseases spread from cultivated grapevines may seriously harm the wild vine population.Four species of nematodes transmitting nepoviruses were registered. Samples of Xiphinema vuittenezi and Longidorus attenuatus from the Lobau (natural forests, north of the Danube in the area of Vienna) differ morphometrically from others found on arable soils or isolated from the research area.