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).