PIWI International
Translation of a flyer from the PIWI organization that hpp picked up at 2007 Intervitis . PIWI had a stand at the Intervitis and was offering wine samples from different cultivars. The translation has been made by H.P.Pfeifer.
ROBUST GRAPECULTIVARS: an obvious alternative to plant protection
Viticulture with an ecological orientation has a very close relationship with deasease tolerant or PIWI cultivars (the word PIWI is a shortform from the german word-pilzwiderstandsfaehig -meaning dessease tolerant). Some examples for white cultivars: Bronner, Solaris, Recelle, Helios, Johanniter, Cabernet blanc, Seyval blanc; and for the reds: Cabernet Cortis, Caberne carbon, Pinotin, Cabertin, Baron, Landal, Monarch, Rataille, Regent. The development of a new cultivar from breeding to introduction takes a long time, from 15 to 30 years.
WHAT ARE PIWI CULTIVARS ?
There are quite a few terms to describe such cultivars and some of them
are outdated or even missleading. Hybrids,
Direktraeger,interspecific, fungi-proof, desease-resistant, desease-tolerant, or
simply robust grape cultivars.*
These cultivars are crossings between european cultivars (viniferas)
and desease resistent american species; newer crossings are very complex and
contain even species from Asia. How-ever the varieties were made by traditional crossbreeding without the
aid of gen transfers. Most of cultivars that are still known as “ Hybrids or
Direktraeger” were made between 1880 and 1935 in France. Goal was to combine the
resistance to deseases and Phylloxera with the quality of the european
varieties.The hopes that such crossbreeds would be able to be grown own-rooted
could not be fullfilled.
WHAT DOES PIWI MEAN ?
PIWI (desease tolerant) means a certain resistance or tolerance towards the fungal deseases that are present locally or world-wide. Such deseases infect all traditional cultivars like Pnot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay etc. An infestation can lead to total crop-loss. There for those traditional Cultivars need to treated with fungizids 6-10 times during the growth-season. This is how the fungizids also enter the environment.
WHY DO GRAPES GET SICK ?
The two most devastating deseases ,which require continious protection against , are downy and powdery meldew.Those deseases were not common in Europe.They were introduced in the 19th century and spread rapidly.Around the same time the Phylloxera also spread through Europe and this combination almost destroyed the european viticulture. Befor this happend the plants did not have to be treated against deseases.
*(there are some more terms Piere Basler calls them “The Other Cultivars “ in his book, and the term “ new viniferas “ is used. It would be beneficial to find terms to describe the exact groups, like Hybrids for the original cross breeds and new viniferas for all PIWI )
HOW DO WE GO ON ?
The international work group for the promotion of desease tolerant cultivars -PIWI International - has the following goals.
● Encourage and promote the exchange of scientific and practical findings concerning desease tolerant grape cultivars nationally and internationally.
● Promotion and assistance in growing such varieties with the goal of increasing the number of growers.
● Provide a forum for discussion and exchange of experiences and ideas for all levels. Practical growers , extension personel and consultants and research .
● Consider the group as an information and exchange network for PIWI cultivars
Severall cultivars have found their way into the grape-growing industry, and some are on a trial basis.The growers have a huge demand for detailed information for those cultivars. This must entail detailed description of their characteristics, wine-making procedures and tasting. Questions about marketing approaches and information for customers are also very important.
Membership to PIWI is open to all growers, extension research and
teaching personel. Also for companies and
instituts and for any person wishing to support.
The board is made of 7 members.
They are from Germany, Switzerland, Austria,
Italy and Hungary.
Membership
fee is 25€ for individuals and 50€ for companies, nurseries and institut.
contact :