Ch. 3: Grape Varieties Flashcards
Grapes belong to…
Genus vitis
Grape Genus Used in Winemaking
Vitis vinifera
Vitis Vinifera Developed In…
The Caucasus Mountains
Reasons Differences Developed in Grapevines in Disparate Areas
Evolution
Encouragement given to certain strains by growers
Grape Varieties
Vine subspecies
Vitis Lambusca
Second most important grape species
Sweet, flavorful
High acidity
Flavor component unsuitable for wine
Concord
Discovered during colonial period
Flavor of Vitis Lambusca
Foxy
North American Grapes are…
Resistant to phylloxera
Phylloxera
Aphid-like insect
Ravaged Europe in 19th Century
Still a problem
Attempts made to breed hybrids with N. American grapes - phylloxera resistant
Scion
Vinifera part of the vine
Grafted on to rootstock of N. American vines to resist phylloxera
Vitis Lambusca rootstocks still being grafted
Other N. American Species Used for Grafting
Vitis riparia
Vitis aestivalis
Vitis rupestris
Species
Scientific grouping
Genetically similar
Broad common characteristics
Produce offspring via sexual reproduction
Variety
Subspecies
Identifiable group of vines in same species
Varieties Share…
Appearance, flavor, growth
Examples of a Variety
Chardonnay and Syrah
Vinifera varieties
Clone
Grapes that are slightly different from their parent
Occurs when asexually reproduced vines are planted in new surroundings
Slight genetic variations occur to adapt to new surroundings
New Clone
New vine that shows consistent distinction from parent
Have new name and number assigned
Mutation
Derived from vine that developed different characteristics from parents or fellow clones
Through imperfect reproduction of cells during growth
Can lead to new type of grape different from ancestors
Mutation Examples
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are mutations of Pinot Noir
Cross/Crossing
Offspring of sexual reproduction between different subspecies within same species
Cross Example
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cross between Cab Franc and Sav Blanc
Hybrid
Result of sexual reproduction between two closely related but different species
Struggle to develop adequate levels of tannin
Can be highly acidic
Can be propagated through cuttings
Attempts to Create New Grapes that Could Withstand these Ravages
Mildew
Phylloxera
Cold weather
Humidity
Hybrid Examples
Seyval Blanc
Vidal Blanc
Baco Noir