Research Plot - Vinifera and Hybrid Red Vareties

Okay It has been a while since my last post, but never the less here is a brief summary on some of the reds we planted.  We planted seven Vinifera and Hybrid types.  For those counting from the last post, that makes only 15 of the 21.  My next post will explain the remaining six "Blattner" types.

Baltica - a hybrid of four different species of grape Vitis; Amurensis, Labrusca, Riparia andVinifera.  Baltica ripens exceptionally early and is quite disease resistant, although it can suffer from post harvest powdery mildew in poor weather.

Baco Noir - a hybrid of Vinifera and Riparia with French origins.  An old species that dates back to to the late 1890's.  Originally brought to Canada in the 1950's, most of the vines were pulled out in the 1980s as part of a "vine pull" program.  Does quite well in cooler climates, with wine similar to a Pinot Noir.
Leon Millot - a hybrid of Vinifera and Riparia, created in early 1900's in Alsace, France.   Leon Millot ripens quite early, has good growth vigour and is highly resistant to fungal disease.  The grapes are quite small, making it difficult to harvest, but it can produce big flavour wines (compared to Syrah).  A relative to Marechal Foch.

Marquette - a complex hybrid, meaning many crosses of Vinifera and other Vitis species.   Really a new variety, only introduced in 2006.  Cold hardy, resistant to powdery mildew and black rot.  Produces a high sugar, moderate acid berry.  Some early wine entries have received rave reviews and we see this as a very promising red variety for the area.

Pinot Noir  - a Vinifera species.  We selected Clone 115 for our research as it consistently produces wines of impressive aroma, structure and balance from many different locations.  It tends to like cooler climates, but is fairly susceptible to most diseases, wind damage and frost.   Pinot is such a great wine we could not resist trying it in our research plot.  This vine is on root stock SO4, which makes it slightly more resistant to frost.

Regent - a hybrid of Vinifera and other Vitis species with German origins.  Has very good resistance to fungal diseases as well, but can susceptible to flower rot which can prevent fruit set if there is a lot of spring rains. Similar to Pinot Noir  in that it will require some management in the vineyard, but the potential it has might make it worth it.

Zweigelt -  a Vinifera species.  Developed as a cross between  Saint-Laurent and Blaufrankisch with German origins.  Zweigelt likes cooler temperatures and buds late so is ideal for areas with late spring frosts.  Personally a favourite red of mine that pairs real nice with turkey dinner.