PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF PIWI GRAPE VARIETIES AS A TOOL FOR THE ADAPTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UKRAINIAN WINE INDUSTRY

Abstract

Climate change has become one of the major challenges affecting the sustainable development of viticulture and winemaking, necessitating the implementation of adaptive approaches to grape cultivation and wine production. Rising average temperatures, increasing frequency of droughts, changing precipitation patterns, and the spread of fungal diseases significantly reduce the productivity of traditional grape cultivars and affect wine quality. One of the most promising solutions is the introduction of disease-resistant PIWI grape varieties, which combine high technological potential with increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors, thereby reducing the need for plant protection products and improving the environmental sustainability of wine production. The aim of the study was to assess the prospects of using PIWI grape varieties as a tool for the adaptive and sustainable development of the Ukrainian wine industry based on the analysis of their distribution, technological characteristics, and the results of experimental studies conducted under the agroclimatic conditions of Ukraine. The study summarizes the current state of PIWI grape cultivation in different viticultural regions of Ukraine, reviews scientific findings on the application of disease-resistant grape varieties in winemaking, and presents the results of the authors' experimental investigations of the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of wines produced from PIWI grape varieties. The obtained results demonstrate that the studied varieties possess a high adaptive potential under current climatic conditions and are capable of producing wines with desirable technological and sensory properties. The research confirms that PIWI grape varieties represent a promising raw material for high-quality wine production while contributing to the environmental sustainability of viticulture through reduced fungicide application, lower production costs, and decreased environmental impact. The findings substantiate the feasibility of expanding the cultivation and industrial use of PIWI grape varieties in Ukraine as an effective tool for adapting the wine industry to climate change and ensuring its sustainable development. Future research should focus on expanding the range of studied PIWI varieties, further evaluating their oenological potential, improving adaptive winemaking technologies, and assessing the technological, environmental, and economic efficiency of their application in different viticultural regions of Ukraine.