Summary
Agroscope presents seven new grape varieties on January 29, 2026 at the AGROVINA in Martigny, which are the result of 17 years of breeding work. The new varieties are resistant to the most important fungal diseases and offer high oenological quality. The varieties were developed in collaboration with INRAE-Colmar and will soon be available for nurseries.
People
- Sibylle Willi (Agroscope)
Topics
- Grape breeding
- Fungal resistance
- Oenological quality
- Sustainable agriculture
- Wine-growing innovation
Detailed Summary
The Swiss research institute Agroscope presents the results of a comprehensive breeding program. Over a period of 17 years, Agroscope and the French institute INRAE-Colmar have worked together on the development of new grape varieties. This collaboration has resulted in seven new varieties specifically designed to combat fungal diseases in viticulture.
The new grape varieties are characterized by two main features: They offer resistance to the most important fungal diseases (such as powdery mildew and botrytis) and simultaneously possess high oenological quality, which means they can produce wines of good quality.
The public presentation takes place as part of AGROVINA 2026, an established event for the viticulture and agriculture industry. The event will be held on January 29, 2026 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Centre d'expositions et de réunions in Martigny (CERM) and will be conducted in French. A tasting of the new varieties is planned.
The varieties will soon be available for nurseries, enabling wine growers to plant these innovative grape varieties.
Key Messages
- 17 years of research: Result of long-term international collaboration between Agroscope and INRAE-Colmar
- Fungal resistance: The new varieties offer protection against the economically most important fungal diseases in viticulture
- Quality standards: Despite resistance breeding, oenological quality remains at a high level
- Market readiness: The varieties will soon be available for nurseries
- Public presentation: Media invitation to AGROVINA on January 29, 2026 in Martigny
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Wine growers and wine-growing businesses | Benefit from disease-resistant varieties with improved yield security |
| Nurseries | New business opportunities through propagation and sales |
| Consumers | Potential for more sustainable wine production with less fungicide use |
| Environment | Reduction of plant protection product pollution |
| Research institutes | Validation of breeding methods and international cooperation |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Reduction of fungicide use through natural resistance | Market acceptance of new varieties among conservative wine growers |
| Improved yield security and cost efficiency | Taste differences compared to established varieties |
| More sustainable wine production | Regulatory hurdles in approval and marketing |
| Stronger international competitiveness | Longer establishment phase in the market required |
| Climate resilience through disease protection | Limited availability in the initial phase |
Action Relevance
For decision-makers in the wine industry:
- Obtain information on new varieties and plan cultivation trials
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses (fungicide savings vs. conversion)
- Review market demand and consumer preferences
- Build network with nurseries for timely ordering
For authorities and research:
- Accelerate approval procedures
- Plan information campaigns to promote adoption
- Support further research on climate adaptation
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified
- [x] Unconfirmed data marked with ⚠️
- [x] Web research conducted for current data (if required)
- [x] Bias or political one-sidedness marked
Notes: The text is a press release from Agroscope. Specific names of the seven grape varieties are not mentioned in the release. The exact resistance profiles and oenological characteristics are not apparent from this document.
Supplementary Research
- Agroscope website: Detailed technical data sheets for the seven new grape varieties
- INRAE-Colmar research reports: Scientific publications on breeding methodology
- Swiss wine-growing associations: Market acceptance and adoption perspectives from practitioners
Bibliography
Primary source:
Agroscope press release: "Media invitation: seven new fungal-resistant grape varieties" – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/nzxElB-_Scq-pgtKZON48 (January 22, 2026)
Supplementary sources:
- Agroscope – Official research results on grape breeding
- INRAE-Colmar – International cooperation projects in wine research
- AGROVINA 2026 – Program overview and event information
Verification status: ✓ Facts checked on January 22, 2026
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This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 22.01.2026