PREFACE

Theme I.
The role of traditional grape-vine varieties, clones and new wine varieties in developing and improving viticulture and enology.
Theme II.
Disease resistant grape-vine varieties and root-stocks for organic grape and wine production.
Theme III.
Methods to estimate the adaptability, cultural characteristics, grape crop and wine quality of clones, new and traditional grape-vine varieties.
Theme IV.
The importance of varieties and rootstocks tolerant to stresses such as drought, salinity and cold. The importance of using clones free of graft-transmissible diseases in vine propagation.
Theme V.
Market acceptance of new and traditional wine grape varieties and clones.

Furthermore, 22 posters were exhibited and discussed in a separate session. Chairpersons including the co-chairmen were from USA, Yugoslavia, Germany, Australia and Hungary. All of them did an excellent job in controlling the speakers and in conducting exciting and self-stimulating discussions during the sessions.

The variety is one of the most important key factors of viti-viniculture as well as wine business. Different approaches of the subject such as sanitary, breeding (cross- and clone selection), technical, marketing, economics, enology etc. were highlighted. It evidently results from the fact that the wine sector has been globalised as well as diversified. A wide range of view-points and presentations created a very special atmosphere at the symposium. Some of our debates resulted in full agreement, others did not but helped experts to become acquainted with each other and clarified different points of view.

On the extra day of the technical tour the participants visited the Tokaj region in order to learn about the final outcome of the privatisation process which took place the during the past 7 years and about new vineyards, new investments and technical developments in general. Visiting traditional underground wine cellars for wine tasting as well as for discussion with local experts was an essential part of the programme.

The Organizing Committee made a selection of presentations for publication in the series of Acta Horticulturae. We stress that we appreciate this special opportunity and that we are very grateful for the co-operation of ISHS. Personally, I am convinced that the readers of this Acta number will appreciate the scientific work of our meetig.

P.E. Botos
Keckskemét, January 1998