Morphological and molecular characterization of grapevine accessions knownas Albillo

Twenty-eight accessions identified under the name of Albillo or cited as a synonym of this ancient Spanish grapevine variety were characterized using 43 morphological descriptors, four different isozyme systems (CO, ACPH, GOT , and SOD) and two Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) primer com binations. Genetic similarity data resulting from these analyses allowed th ree different groups of Albillo to be distinguished that corresponded with geographical and historical origin of representative varieties: Turruntes, Malvasia de El Bierzo, and the classical Albillo de Madrid, related to the oldest Albillo ampelographical descriptions. In addition, homonyms as well as varieties incorrectly cited as Albillo synonyms were identified. To ensu re accurate variety identification, association among historical descriptio ns based on morphological descriptors and molecular fingerprints was requir ed. Isozymes proved to be useful markers for varietal identification. Howev er, only AFLP allowed distinction among closely related varieties as well a s the analysis of intravarietal variation.