Vine Genome Project from Italian Wine Merchants

WINE NEWS / Italy and France to launch vine genome project

The agricultural ministers of Italy and France have agreed to spend more than 6 million Euro to launch a European vine genome project. The joint-venture, known as VIGNA (VEEN-yah, Italian for "vine"), will map the DNA of European varietals and trace them back to their earliest, shared genetic sequences. Similar in scope to the Human Genome Project, VIGNA will help researchers combat diseases and pests that affect vineyards. It will also create a genetic database for all European varietals, thus allowing for a more precise identification of indigenous European grapes. The project has been hailed by scientists as step toward a more methodical approach to vine-tending.

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