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July 2015 P R A C T I C A L W I N E R Y & V I N E YA R D 69 W I N E G R O W I N G (3.31). However, when compared to pre- vious years' data, the heritage selection 89 did not trend differently in any other year, while the Primitivo consistently showed a repeating trend. In 2013, the Primitivo had fewer seeds per berry (1.5) compared to the Zinfandel selections (1.8). The data suggests that Primitivo has looser clusters due to fewer berries per cluster and fewer seeds per berry that results in a faster accumula- tion of sugars and loss of acidity during ripening. Summary The goal of the Heritage Zinfandel project was to investigate whether genetic varia- tion could be identified and gathered from diverse old-vine Zinfandel vineyards. The results of the 2013 data suggest that the heritage selections are pheno- typically identical in their expression when examined in a single vineyard. Further analysis of phenolic, aromatic and genetic profiles can be undertaken. Given that genetic changes and muta- tions are typically slow to accumulate, and infrequent in their propagation, we did not expect to see large numbers of differences among selections in this experiment. One interpretation might be an affir- mation of the idea of terroir, as this study would seem to confirm that Zinfandel vines and wines from historic vineyards behave and taste differently from each other because of the unique soil and cli- matic differences that they are cultivated throughout California. PWV The authors wish to thank the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers for their continued commitment to Zinfandel research, which has made this study possible. Bibliography 1. Calo, A., A. Costacurta, V. Maras, S. Meneghetti, and M. Crespan. 2008 "Molecular correlation of Zinfandel with Austrian, Croatian, and Hungarian cultivars and Kratosija, an additional synonym." Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 59: 205–209. 2. Maleti ´ c, E., I. Peji ´ c, J.K. Konti ´ c, J. Piljac, G.S. Dangl, A. Vokurka, T. Lacombe, N. Mirosevi ´ c, and C.P. Meredith. 2004 "Zinfandel, Dobrici ´ c, and Plavac Mali: The genetic relationship among three cultivars of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia." Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 55: 174–180. 3. Piljac, J. 2004 Zinfandel: A Croatian-American Wine Story. Zrinski d.d. Cakovec, Croatia. 4. Sullivan, C.L. 2003 Zinfandel: A History of a Grape and Its Wine. University of California Press. 5. Wolpert, J.A. 1996 "Performance of Zinfandel and Primitivo clones in a warm climate." Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 47: 124–126. Practical Winery library.com Single-subject articles on a wide range of topics From the archives of Practical Winery & Vineyard PracticalWinerylibrary.com SUPPORT RESEARCH & WINE INDUSTRY NEEDS THROUGH THE A M E R I C A N V I N E YA R D FO U N D AT I O N P.O. Box 5779, Napa, CA, 94581 • T: (707) 252-6911 Visit our Web site at www.avf.org for information on funding and current research projects N E W W I N E VA R I E T I E S Dr. Matthew Fidelibus' alternative San Joaquin Valley grape variety trials consist of 56 unique selections that identify a number of atypical red and white cultivars that produce attractive wines with good yields in Region 5 climatic conditions. Constellation Wines has cooperated with this work making wine from many of these selections and having them available for tasting at regional presentations. For more information visit AVF.org or contact Dr. Fidelibus at mwfidelibus@ucanr.edu. For a wealth of useful viticulture and enology research and information, visit AVF.org, ngr.ucdavis.edu, asev.org, iv.ucdavis.edu or ngwi.org Finding Solutions Through Research