To ensure that all of them received the attention of the participants of the event, three forms of presentation were used – a report (15 minutes), a short presentation (10 minutes) and presentation of the topic of the scientific work on a poster. A part of the hall of the Palace of the Republic, where the Congress was held, was allocated for the latter. By the way, many interesting works were presented there. Logos Press was primarily interested in local presentations.
Dr. habilitate Gheorghe Arpentin spoke about a scientific study on the regional grape variety Rara nägre, which is one of the oldest still in use in Europe. The project involves the Agricultural Institute of Montpellier and IFV (France), the Technical University of Moldova and a domestic industry institute. The project is initiated and financed by Vinaria Purcari.
The research aims to improve and conserve the biodiversity of the Rara niagre variety through clonal selection and capitalization of its genetic diversity. The plants were found in different regions of Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. The age of the bushes ranges from 25 to 120 years. The collected plant material was tested to detect virus contamination. Healthy plants were planted in the school in 2025. The study identified 159 biotypes of this grape variety. Cluster analysis identified six stable morphological groups among them. Representatives of one variety differ significantly in appearance (shape of bunches and berries, their color) and in productivity, growth strength, etc. From the different clones of Rara-Nyagrae planted and grown in the same conditions, it will be possible to select the best ones for further multiplication and industrial use.
“With this initiative, we want to preserve the identity of the local and regional winemaking heritage while ensuring the genetic variability necessary for the future development of viticulture in the country,” said Gheorghe Arpentin.
It was surprising and pleasant to hear the report in the section “Enology”, dedicated to wines from the grape variety Fetjaska yagre, made by Dr. Meiling Yao from China (defended a month ago at TUM). She studied how Feteasca Neagra wines made from grapes grown in different terroirs (seven vineyards in three regions) differ aromatically. For her study, Meiling made experimental wines under microvineyard conditions at TUM. Using modern instrumental methods, 33 volatile compounds (VCs) were identified, including terpinolene (in the FN wines it gave a piney tone), which is rarely found in red varieties. Among them, 15 key VOCs affecting the sensory characteristics of wine were identified.
The doctor concluded that the grape variety Fetjaska nägre is very sensitive to terroir, showing distinct aromatic differences even under standardized winemaking. For example, heat accumulation promotes the formation of esters in the berries, temperature differences (day and night) enhance the complexity of the fruit flavors. Even small amounts of soil nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium) have shown a strong influence on numerous flavor compounds. “When we raise a glass, we are not tasting seven samples of wine, but seven stories of terroir,” believes Meiling Yao.
The health benefits of grapes were the subject of a presentation by Dr. Violina Popovic (TUM), who, as part of a team of researchers, evaluated the effects of grape pomace extracts on the body. Grape pomace was dried and ground into a fine powder. Bioactive compounds were extracted from it and incorporated into nanoliposomes. The obtained special emulsions were tested for antioxidant activity on white rats of Wistar line. The results of experiments confirmed that encapsulated extracts of grape extracts have antioxidant effect and immunostimulating properties. It would be good to introduce this development into production.
