Move Over Pinot Noir

You’d think all grape names were known by now, given that 5,000 to 10,000 grape varieties are thought to exist. Of course, some varieties exist only as part of scientific collections, and some varieties are always going extinct (sadly). But new varieties are also always being created—either in Nature or by plant breeders. In fact, a large group of grape breeders in the East and Midwest have been coming up with a slew of new varieties breed to be tolerant of extremely cold winters. The names of those grapes must be approved by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau before they can be used on wine bottles. If approved by the TTB, here are some wine names you may see in the future: Aromella, Valjohn, Southern Cross, Jupiter, Bluebell, King of the North, Diana, and our favorite, By George (invented by a backyard breeder named George Girouard).

Where in the world did apples originate?

A. Peru

B. Kazakhstan

C. China

D. Nova Scotia

All of those Fujis, Romes, Deliciouses, and Granny Smiths in your market can be traced back to one place where apples still grow wild—Kazakhstan. According to Gastro Obscura, the ancestor of the domestic apple is the Malus sieversii, which grows wild in the Tian Shan Mountains. Scientists believe that Tian Shan apple seeds were transported out of Kazakhstan by birds and bears long before humans ever cultivated them. By the time humans did begin to grow apples the Malus sieversii was growing in Syria. The Romans discovered it there and then spread the fruit around the Roman Empire. Wild apple forests still exist in Kazakhstan in protected patches within National Parks.

Binge-ing in Italy?

A friend once told me that when an Italian drinks too much, they don’t say he’s drunk too much; they say he hasn’t eaten enough food yet. By that standard, the residents of Alto Adige must be… Continue reading

Move Over Pinot Noir

Get WineSpeed