The Genowine project: Comparative genomics of wine and flor strains

Within the framework of the Genowine project (Bioressource initiative funded by INRA), we have sequenced the genome of 9 wine strains and 7 flor strains as well as 59A an haploid derivative of EC1118. Comparative genomic analysis has confirmed the unique origin of flor strains, forming a population similar to that of wine yeast, that differentiate in local lineages. The detailed analysis of their genomes has highlighted diverging regions in which we have identified several genes involved in the adaptation to flor/velum ageing which is a very ancient process performed in Hungary, France, Italy and Spain. This study also showed that the champenoise strain EC1118 arised from a cross between a wine and a flor strain.