PIWI Wines: Sustainable winegrowing

Ecological. Economical. Trendsetting. PIWI Wines are wines from fungus-resistant grape varieties. Enjoying quality wine is being revolutionised in a new way. Consumers get the opportunity to explore new undiscovered paths. Fungus-resistant grape varieties should complement traditional varieties such as Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Today in science and research is increasing by “New innovative grape varieties” spoken in this context. These grape varieties have a high resistance to fungal diseases and allow a significant reduction in using pesticides. These robust or innovative grape varieties are therefore an obvious alternative to conventional intensive crop protection.

Where do the “new varieties” come from?

PIWI Wines are already widespread in German winegrowing regions such as Rheinhessen, Franconia and Palatinate. But they also are becoming increasingly popular in other winegrowing countries like Poland and Denmark.

Cultivating these new robust and innovative varieties is a long-term project through generations. Even today, vines are not cultivated in the laboratory, but in the vineyard without genetic engineering. For many years, the Freiburg State Institute of Viticulture has been focusing on the cultivation of new fungus-resistant grape varieties. The State Institute of Viticulture is looking for interested companies who are willing to take part in the experiment and plant such vines in their vineyards. PIWI International supports the Exchange of experience between winegrowers and breeders and stimulates the dialogue about the “new grape varieties”.

Why do vines have to be resistant?

In winegrowing, considerable amounts of pesticides are used against mildew (fungicides) to prevent possible fungal infections and to secure the harvest. According to analyses by the statistical office of the EU (EuroStat), the use of pesticides per hectare and year in winegrowing is by far the highest compared to all other agricultural products produced in the EU.

However, PIWI vines have a high resistance to fungal diseases and allow a significant reduction in the use of pesticides, thus protecting the environment.
A win-win situation for winemakers and consumers!

Competition PIWI Austria – New / innovative grape varieties

The continuous increase in the PIWI cultivation area is reflected in the number of wines registered for the Austrian PIWI wine competition “New / innovative grape varieties”, which is increasing year on year. Not only the traditional wine-growing regions, but also the mountainous region of Austria is now heavily involved in the PIWI scene! For the third time, the association “PIWI Austria” organized the wine competition “New / innovative grape varieties” for Austrian wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties.

HERE you can find out the results in detail.