Zinthiana? You heard it here first ...

From http://www.americannewwines.com:

Zinthiana Click to view Pictures Click for Tasting Notes

SOLD OUT FOR SPRING OF 2008

Zinfandel (clone from northern Napa Valley) crossed with Norton (“Monticello” clone). If there ever was an All American Grape, this is it: the unique grape of the West crossed with the unique grape of the East. (We love Zinfandel and think it is one of the world’s great wine grapes.) The berries are medium black in size. The large conical clusters are always well filled out (like that of almost all Norton crosses). In 2006 the grapes were harvested on September 26th with a Brix of 23.0, a ph of 3.33, and an acid of 8.85. These also could have been allowed to hang much later.

The vine is vigorous but so far not excessively so. It has shown no winter damage to date. The canes also have a downward drooping attitude and the vine is easily managed with cane pruning on a single curtain.

The dark full bodied wine is fruity and delightful, almost ready to drink months after harvest. The flavors are complex and Italianesque in nature.

Scheduled Releases - Spring 2009

Wild stuff Paul! Thanks.

[Robin Garr]

Zinfandel (clone from northern Napa Valley) crossed with Norton (“Monticello” clone).

Picking nits, wouldn't this be a hybrid rather than a cross?

[David M. Bueker]

Why does this seem like a better is the enemy of good idea? Norton makes some interesting wine. Zinfandel, while not native to the USA, has become the "native" grape. I'm no enemy of experimentation (see Scheurebe), but this one just seems like a bad idea from the start. I can't believe that it will make more interesting wine than either grape already does on its own.

[Robin Garr]

Why does this seem like a better is the enemy of good idea? Norton makes some interesting wine. Zinfandel, while not native to the USA, has become the "native" grape. I'm no enemy of experimentation (see Scheurebe), but this one just seems like a bad idea from the start. I can't believe that it will make more interesting wine than either grape already does on its own.

The article certainly was framed more in marketing-speak than tech-speak, which may be a signal.

Picking nits, wouldn't this be a hybrid rather than a cross?

True, it is a hybrid, though I guess that rather than use the word hybridize they used cross, which still makes said interspecific cross a hybrid in the end.

Hi Paul,
Found this article from last year, you might find it interesting. It’s from St Louis Eats and Drinks with Joe and Ann Pollack. Scroll to the bottom and check out the article- This Week’s Wine September 4, 2007.

http://stlouiseats.typepad.com/st_louis ... index.html

Salute

David wrote:
Why does this seem like a better is the enemy of good idea? Norton makes some interesting wine. Zinfandel, while not native to the USA, has become the "native" grape. I'm no enemy of experimentation (see Scheurebe), but this one just seems like a bad idea from the start. I can't believe that it will make more interesting wine than either grape already does on its own.
Why does this seem like a better is the enemy of good idea? Norton makes some interesting wine. Zinfandel, while not native to the USA, has become the "native" grape. I'm no enemy of experimentation (see Scheurebe), but this one just seems like a bad idea from the start. I can't believe that it will make more interesting wine than either grape already does on its own.

I don’t know David, to up and coming wineries in other parts of the US maybe even Canada, this might not be such a “bad idea”. (This grape may put the state of Illinois on the wine map).

Salute

I would be curious to see what it was like if the brix had been higher and the acid lower. From looking around that website I'm not sure where the grapes were located that made the wine. If the gapes were in Winters or Davis then I really would like to see the grapes hang out there a little bit longer.

Hi Paul,
Found this article from last year, you might find it interesting. It’s from St Louis Eats and Drinks with Joe and Ann Pollack. Scroll to the bottom and check out the article- This Week’s Wine September 4, 2007.

http://stlouiseats.typepad.com/st_louis ... index.html

From that article

Dressel does not believe in screw-top closures for his wine and buys corks from a top California producer

Corks from California?

Peter,
Some of the reputable and larger natural cork producers of Portugal do have satellite business and distribution centers located in California.

Salute

[David M. Bueker]

I don’t know David, to up and coming wineries in other parts of the US maybe even Canada, this might not be such a “bad idea”. (This grape may put the state of Illinois on the wine map).

Let's just say I sorely doubt it.

I don’t know David, to up and coming wineries in other parts of the US maybe even Canada, this might not be such a “bad idea”. (This grape may put the state of Illinois on the wine map).

Let's just say I sorely doubt it.

I'm not too sure if Zinthiana would do that; I could see Noiret or maybe even some of the Minnesota varieties - e.g. Marquette - have that potential in Illinois. The reason I say this is because Zinthiana is 50% vinifera; it might have some climate issues in hard-freeze episodes.

Where this hybrid might work better is in more vinifera-friendly terroirs that are looking for a grape to make organic wine with; a grape that may not need as much spraying as straight vinifera does.