Exploring intra-specific variability as an adaptive strategy to climate change: Response of 21 grapevine cultivars grown under drought conditions

In recent decades, as a consequence of climate change, grape ripening is occurring under warmer and drier conditions, resulting in losses in the yield and quality of wine grapes. Several alternatives may reduce these negative effects. One that stands out for its potential for long-term adaptation is the selection of better-adapted plant material. For this purpose, during two consecutive years, several agronomic and quality parameters were recorded in 21 grapevine cultivars grown under two water stress levels (moderate and severe). The results revealed that some cultivars considered a minority, as well as others recently recovered from the viticultural heritage that had almost become extinct, could offer a similar and even better response to drought than other widespread cultivars. In particular, Maquías, Montonera del Casar, and Tortozona Tinta stood out for their high total acidity; Tinto Fragoso and Tinto Velasco for their high anthocyanin concentration; and Albillo Dorado and Moscatel Serrano for their high varietal aromatic potential. These cultivars could contribute to diversifying varietal offerings and to maintaining the sustainability of the wine sector in the coming decades.