Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/122527
WineEast of relationships between tissue nutrient concentrations, soil characteristics and grape quality for cold-climate varieties. One of the challenges in growing grapes in the northern Midwest and the Northeast is the large amount of disease pressure and the need to protect vines from diseases starting at bud break and continuing through harvest. One of the objectives of the project is to evaluate the response of several cold-climate cultivars to copper and sulfur fungicides. Preliminary studies of copper and sulfur phytotoxicity in Wisconsin and New York showed variable results. In Wisconsin, Brianna was sensitive to copper, while Maréchal Foch and Léon Millot were sensitive to sulfur. In New York, all cultivars that were tested showed sensitivity to sulfur but not copper. As crop injury is highly dependent on environment, these studies must be repeated for years and at various locations before conclusions can be made. —Tim Martinson Marketing The cold-climate grape and wine industry accounts for more than $342 million in economic impact across 12 states, according to the year one baseline study conducted by the Northern Grapes Project. That economic impact includes growing grapes, making wine from cold-tolerant varieties and spending by tourists at the wineries. The cold-climate grape industry has experienced rapid growth, with 43% of wineries specializing in the production of cold-climate wines established after 2007 and 45% of the northern grape cultivar acreage planted within the past four years. 94 W I NE S & V INE S MAY 20 13 Grapegrowing During a five-month study of more than 1,500 tasting room visitors, 49% indicated that visiting wineries was either the "only reason" or a "very important reason" for visiting the regions sampled. The research also showed that the primary reasons people visit wineries are to have relaxing and unique experiences. Such experiences are apparently highly valued by wine tourists, as average tasting room visitors spend a total of $780 during their trips to wine tourism destinations, further demonstrating the importance of wineries to those regions. Research in customer satisfaction showed that converting tasting room customers from "satisfied" to "extremely satisfied" through excellent customer service sells more wine. A highly satisfied customer buys four bottles and spends $60 during a visit, research shows, whereas a satisfied customer buys three bottles and spends $40. Tasting room managers, therefore, should focus on friendliness and sharing knowledge to enhance customer experiences. —Tim Martinson Enology In 1996 the University of Minnesota released the wine grape cultivar Frontenac, a cross between Landot Noir (an early hybrid developed in France and introduced to the United States during the 1960s) and V. riparia (MN 89). The advantages of using V. riparia in breeding are its cold hardiness and disease resistance. Indeed, Frontenac is a vigorous vine that is extremely hardy—it can survive winters that drop below -20°F. It is also a vine that doesn't require much treatment against grape diseases, so it's perfect for organic