Colloquial term (PI = fungus, WI = resistance) for resistance to various fungal diseases. The meaning of the two terms, which are often used interchangeably, is sometimes different in the various languages. PIWI varieties originate from crosses mainly between European and American (with regard to fungi), and possibly also Asian (with regard to frost) varieties.
Most of the varieties that are referred to today as hybrids, interspecific varieties or incorrectly generalised as direct carriers (hybrids are not necessarily direct carriers) were created in France between 1880 and 1935. The aim was to combine the resistance of American vines to fungi (especially mildew) and phylloxera with the quality of the European species Vitis vinifera. However, the hope that these vines could be cultivated directly despite phylloxera, i.e. ungrafted without grafting, was unfortunately not realised.
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen