LAUSR

Contrary to the general trend to produce wine from the most famous grapevine varieties, associated to the French paradigm, such as Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, there is a slight tendency to revalorize and preserve the minority or autochthonous grapevine varieties within the world wine scenario. South American wine region is not exempt from this reality, where most of the varieties derived from the varieties brought after European colonization. This has allowed to provide new wines with distinctive identity that has provided a marked differentiation of quality to the current homogenized wine production. Moreover, the varietal homogenization increases the vineyard genetic vulnerability in relation to the emergence of grapevine diseases, which the commonly cultivated varieties are not resistant. This review summarizes the oenological potential of minority or autochthonous grapevine varieties cultivated within the South American wine region, focused on Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, according to the current revalorization of the viticultural heritage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.