Research Accomplishment Reports 2011

Multi-State Evaluation of Wine Grape Cultivars and Clones

D. Archbold
Department of Horticulture

 

Non-Technical Summary

Grapevine nurseries, grape growers, and vintners would be more competitive both within their region or production area and in the international market. The environmental impact of wine grape production would be reduced by identifying disease and pest resistant cultivars and cultivars. Alternative cultivar/product options would be created for areas where traditional cultivars and markets have declined. Our national grape importation program would be enhanced by evaluation data that would improve our ability to judge the potential impact of introducing individual accessions. Grape breeding and selection programs would be more efficient due to a better understanding of grape and wine genotype X environmental interactions and nature of clonal variation. To identify wine grape cultivars and clones suited to sustainable production in various cooperating states.

2011 Project Description

Twelve varieties were planted in 2008 as part of the NE-1020 Multi-State Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivar and Clones. Hybrid cultivars planted were Chambourcin 101-14, Vidal blanc 101-14, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac, Marquette, Corot Noir, NY76.0844, and Vignoles. European cultivars planted were Cabernet Sauvignon #8, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Rkatsitelli, Touriga, Tinto Cao, and Pinot Noir. The 2012 crop will be the first commercial-size crop to report. Malbec and Pinot Noir have both suffered significant winter injury and will likely be dropped from the study.

2011 Impact

The information on the winter injury problems has been discussed with winegrape growers to warn them of the risk in planting these cultivars.