Coordinator: Francesco Carimi
Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR)

Do you want to know if a wine has Sicilian origins? The answer is in its DNA. From now on there will be a scientific way to know not only if a wine is good, but where it is from, what grape was used to prepare it, which yeasts were used for the transformation of the wort. The "genetic certification of Sicilian wine" can ensure this information, useful to consumers and producers; it is a special license, issued after specific laboratory analysis that will test if the statement on the label matches with the contents of the bottle. The company Bionat Italia, specialized in genetic testing, the Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR) CNR of Palermo with the support of several wineries, implemented a research project where this initiative and the entire process was developed. With the new method it could be no more possible to lie about the origin of the grapes. The protocol revolutionizes the traditional approach, consisting of various certifications (Doc, Dop, Igp), based on the monitoring during the production process, which leaves  a large measure of discretion to the manufacturer. The new certification, however, allows to control the final product through laboratory analysis that allow to extract the DNA and to identify, with molecular techniques, the genetic sequences of the vines. An appointment towards Expo 2015.