Selezione genetica e sanitaria dell Avanà, il principale vitigno della Val di Susa

The Avanà, traditionally grown in the Susa Valley (Western Alps), represents the main wine black variety in the mountain district of the Torino province (North-west Italy), where it gives origin to the VQPRD wine ‘Valsusa’. In the last decade the viticulture of the Susa Valley is undergoing a renewal of the old traditional vineyards. In this respect the quality of grape propagation material for the new plantings becomes essential, so the IVV-CNR since 1990 carried out a project focused on the genetic and sanitary selection of the cultivar. In 1993 an experimental vineyard hosting 33 clones of Avanà were planted at Chianocco in the Lower Susa Valley. Morphological, agronomic and enological observations were performed. A second vineyard was established in 2000 at Chiomonte (Upper Susa Valley) hosting a great number of vines of clones 1 and 35. In 2004 and 2005, their performances were carefully monitored. In addition to field observations, grape polyphenolic composition were assessed and the wines, obtained by small-scale vinification, underwent chemical and sensory evaluations. Clones 1 and 35 confirmed to be very interesting biotypes of Avanà, will be proposed for the registration in the Italian National Catologue, which will allow their propagation as ‘certified’ material.