For the most detailed information available on individual vine varieties, click here then scroll down to the list of varieties at the end, and click on the underlined variety name.

Note: Piwi (pilzwiderstandsfähige) is the new term to define vine varieties that have been described previously as hybrids, direct producers, interspecific, disease-resistant, disease-tolerant. Piwi cultivars have originated from cross-breeding (without the aid of gene implants) between European cultivars (Vitis vinifera) and disease resistant American species; some new crossings are very complex and may contain Vitis amurensis (from Russia) or species from Asia.
Most of the cultivars that are still known as hybrids or direct producers were bred between 1880 and 1935 in France.

Piwi implies a certain resistance or tolerance towards the fungal diseases that are present locally or world-wide. Such diseases infect all pure vinifera cultivars (like Pinot noir, Riesling, Chardonnay etc.) where an out-of-control infestation can lead to total crop loss. These vinifera varieties need to be sprayed with approved fungicides 6 to 10 times during the growing season; the fungicides inevitably enter our environment.

   Thoughts on choosing vine varieties

   Vine varieties by style of wine

   Vine varieties for Sparkling wine

   Vine varieties by harvest time

   Average harvest dates of varieties grown at Dunkery Vineyard - Exmoor

   Clones and selection massales some thoughts from a French vine nursery

   Clones of Pinot noir - French clones  and  German clones

   Rootstocks

   Seedless grape varieties, for eating

www.winegrowers.info