Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/66128
A SEV PREVIEW Nero d'Avola , Touriga Nacional and Aragonez (from left) represent cultivars from Italy, Portugal and Spain. Speakers at a day-long seminar about alternative winegrape varieties also will discuss the merits of Greek and Sicilian cultivars. covering alternative varieties. The session is intended to bring awareness to vine types that make fine wines but are not the well-known "international varieties" of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The discussion will cover varieties suited for warm and cold climates. Wolpert said it might be a tough sell to pitch alternative varieties in Oregon, a place where Pinot Noir is firmly en- trenched and there could be little interest in other cultivars. But for a small produc- er, a unique type of wine could be a good tool to separate oneself from the pack. "The challenge is, people don't recognize these varieties," he said. "Different can sometimes be good, and sometimes it can be bad." McGourty and Wolpert will start the session discussing their own research ex- periences before passing the microphone to Greek consulting enologist Haroula Spirinthroupoula, who will discuss Greek cultivars, and Richard Mayson, author of "The Wines and Vineyards of Portugal," to review Portuguese varieties. The Uni- versity of Palermo's Antonino Pisciotta will offer an overview of the important varieties of Sicily. Marketing challenges A panel discussion will review the chal- lenges introducing new varietal wines to the market as well as obtaining distribu- tion through the three-tier system. The panel will consist of Nick Dokoozlian, viticulturist with E. & J. Gallo; Earl Jones, owner of Abacela Winery in Southern 2012 Annual Meeting ASEV-Eastern Section Traverse City, Michigan Monday, July 16 NW Michigan Wine Industry Tour Tuesday, July 17 Technical Program & Oenolympics Student Competition Wednesday, July 18 Technical Program & Grand Awards Banquet Thursday, July 19 Symposium on Sparkling Wine Production July 16-19 More information: www.asev-es.org Wines & Vines JUne 2012 43 TOM LIDEN