Climate changes (CC) are worldwide destabilizing grapevine production with important effects on grape and wine quality, especially in Southern Italy. Grapevine has a remarkable ability to ADAPT to these changes through environmentally induced shifts in phenotypes (phenotypic plasticity), but the genetic and molecular mechanisms still remain poorly characterized. In this project we aim at:

1) understanding how agro-climatic conditions can influence metabolite profiles and microbial populations of grapes, musts and wines;

2) identifying genes and regulative factors involved in the grapevine environment adaptation;

3) elucidating the correlations between grape quality and water stress through an index analysis of soil-plant-atmosphere-microbiota interaction.

For this purpose, an indigenous grape variety (Aglianico) and an international one (Cabernet Sauvignon), both grown at different latitudes in Southern Italy, will be analyzed. The project is designed to take on a multifaceted analytical strategy using the most recent and powerful methodologies in RNA, DNA methylation, microbiota and metabolome analysis. Although ADAPT will use a basic research approach, the acquired knowledge will have a direct relevance for the wine industry.