Genetic Structure, Origins, and Relationships of Grapevine Cultivars from the Castilian Plateau of Spain

A genetic analysis of grapevine cultivars from the Castilian Plateau in Spain reveals three distinct clusters, suggesting historical introductions along pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. The study identified 121 unique genotypes among 425 samples, including 27 previously unreported varieties. Among these, Muscat-type accessions and interspecific hybrids formed one cluster, while another grouped French and western Castilian Plateau varieties, indicating their shared origins or introductions via pilgrimage paths. A third cluster comprised central plateau cultivars and local table grapes, with chloroplast data supporting local origins or crossbreeding between introduced and indigenous varieties. Three of four wild samples were confirmed as genuine Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris, based on morphological traits and genetic composition.

Santana, J. C., Heuertz, M., Arranz, C., Rubio, J. A., Martínez-Zapater, J. M., & Hidalgo, E. (2010). Genetic Structure, Origins, and Relationships of Grapevine Cultivars from the Castilian Plateau of Spain. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 61(2), 214–224. https://doi.org/10.5344/ajev.2010.61.2.214