Prosecco of the Future: VCR Unveils Disease‑Resistant Glera

  • | 01•15•2026

Tradition and innovation come together to shape the future of Prosecco through the advancement of PIWI resistant varieties. At the VCR Research Center in Rauscedo, Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo has introduced new disease‑resistant Glera varieties, the result of years of research and genetic improvement.

The objective is clear: tackle the challenges of climate change and sustainability without compromising the distinctive identity that has made Prosecco one of the world’s most beloved wines.

PIWI and Genetic Innovation for the Prosecco of Tomorrow

Italy continues to lead the way in the development of PIWI grape varieties, cultivars resistant to fungal diseases and created through targeted crossings.

Five new Glera‑derived resistant varieties are now ready to make their debut—four developed by VCR and one by CREA Viticoltura ed Enologia in Conegliano.

Their resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew is polygenic, supported by multiple genes, enabling a drastic reduction in fungicide treatments and elevating sustainability standards across the production chain.

“These new Glera‑derived varieties,” explains Yuri Zambon, Director of VCR, “were selected to preserve the sensory imprint of the Glera parent, while offering different aromatic nuances and greater adaptability to the diverse growing areas found across Italy.”

Technical Tasting and Blind Comparison on 29 January in Rauscedo

During the event ‘The Glera of the Future’, scheduled for 29 January 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the VCR Research Center in Rauscedo (Pordenone), technicians, producers, and opinion leaders will participate in a blind comparative tasting of micro‑sparkling vinifications obtained from the new varieties, tasted alongside Prosecco‑style wines from the parent cultivars.

This will serve as a true proving ground to assess the typicity and potential of the new resistant Glera varieties.

A More Sustainable Prosecco

Innovation and sustainability are increasingly driven by the expectations of new consumers—especially Millennials and Gen Z, who lean toward wines that are lighter, authentic, and environmentally responsible.

An analysis of market trends will be presented by Denis Pantini of Nomisma’s Wine Monitor Observatory.

The New Resistant Glera Varieties: Regulations and Outlook for PIWI in Italian DOCs

Since 2021, the European Union has allowed the use of PIWI grapes in DOC wines (Reg. 2021/2117). Italy is now updating its Unified Wine Law to enable their adoption in some of the country’s most prestigious denominations.

A potential turning point for Prosecco, supported by the active involvement of its Consortia—Prosecco DOC, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, and Asolo Montello DOCG—already engaged in development initiatives.

The new varieties currently under evaluation carry technical codes destined to become familiar names: Glera‑R‑VCR‑2, Glera‑R‑VCR‑4, Glera‑R‑VCR‑5, Glera‑R‑VCR‑7, and Crea‑Ve‑7_3_8.

All are officially registered with the CPVO, the European authority responsible for the protection of new plant varieties.