Native or migrant? Circulation of grape varieties in the Mediterranean basin

An intensive movement of varieties along the routes of population's migrations (settlers, traders , pilgrims, sailors and soldiers) occurred since the olden times for Vitis vinifera, one of the most ancient crop spread in central-southern Europe. Recently, the enhancement of varietal identification through DNA markers by genetic profile comparison, lead to the discovery of often unexpected synonyms even in distant regions, thus contributing to gain insight into grape variety circulation in the past. Yet, new questions arise on the movement routes and direction of some ancient grapes, questioning their likely native sites. Although varieties movement took piace also inland (along the Balkan peninsula, in Centrai Europe and across the Alps), most of the spreading of grape cultivars by human trades and migrations occurred in the Mediterranean basin. Here some grape varieties show many synonyms (8-1O and even more) each of them used in a specific area where it was introduced and cultivated, often far from the other locations . Between the two sides of Adriatic Sea, an intensive exchange of materials occurred from/to the ltalian peninsula and the western side of the Balkan area, indicating an intense trade activity in the past. Historical evidences, ampelographic information, pedigree reconstruction and genetic proximity of the involved grapes would ali contribute to shed light on their migration events and/or their possible geographical origin.