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December 2017 WINES&VINES 29 VIEWPOINT in the east are resistant to downy mildew. In the past decade, Dr. An- drew Walker's work has incorpo- rated resistance to Pierce's disease into three varieties with a 98% V. vinifera background. Beyond disease resistance, ge- netic markers have been identified that help predict many other traits including cluster architecture, fla- vor, seedlessness, véraison timing, berry size and more. In short, getting beyond the frozen genetics of classic varieties may help solve some thorny pro- duction issues and, at the same time, make the worldwide indus- try more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Varietal names are an obstacle The key obstacle that seems insur- mountable is the marketing domi- nance of varietal wines. Even if breeders can combine disease re- sistance with the wine attributes of Cabernet Sauvignon, wineries may not be able to market or sell it under that name. In other words, will producers be able to command the same premium price for a wine called "Napa Red" as for Cabernet Sauvignon? Currently, the answer is no. Many in the industry would claim that it's impossible to improve upon or produce varieties that are the equal of the classic wine varieties, much less market and sell wines made from them. But that could change rapidly in the future, if en- vironmental concerns or climate change or emergence of a new pest make continued production of clas- sic wine varieties untenable. For the future health and sus- tainability of the industry, I be- lieve it's necessary to get beyond the frozen genetics of the wine world and embrace the promise of genetic improvement. The bio- logical world is subject to evolu- tion. Pathogens evolve rapidly. The climate will change. To ad- dress these challenges, the narrow genetic base of our current culti- vars needs to be broadened. Another solution to this com- plex problem may be provided by the VitisGen project, which is a collaborative effort to develop genetic markers and tools that advance grape-breeding efforts. This is the first of a series of col- umns where we will explore how an understanding of genetics can enhance breeding efforts and in- form vineyard and winery man- agement decisions. Tim Martinson, a senior extension associ- ate in the Cornell University School of Integrative Plant Science, works with regional extension educators and industry groups to provide growers and wineries with educational programs, workshops, newsletters and applied on-farm research that supports profitable production of grapes, grape products and wine. Celebrating Over 35 Years of Serving the Wine Industry Oak Barrels, Barrel Alternatives & Amphorae Tel: (707) 257-3582 sales@bouchardcooperages.com www.bouchardcooperages.com Vineyard Tools Battery Powered Pruning Shears • 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch cutting capacity models • 15,000 pruning cuts per battery charge • Includes lithium battery, harness, holster and carrying case www.zenportindustries.com | 503-524-7289 Gra ing Tools w zenportindustri Tying Tools & Supplies Harvest Shears ineyard T ols Pruning | Gra ing | Tying | Harvest Solid vertices represent likely parent-offspring relationships. Dotted vertices represent sibling relationships or equivalent. Sibling or equivalent Parent-offspring Muscat of Alexandria Muscat Hamburg Kerner Trollinger Rotberger Wittberger Ehrenfelser Reichensteiner Perle de Csaba Perlriesling Riesling Optima Ortega Siegerrebe Müller- Thurgau Osteiner Sylvaner Perle Schönburger Pinot Noir Petit Manseng Donzillinho Taminga Muscat Blanc Gamay Gelber Ortlieber Teinturier du Cher Aramon Petite Bouschet Alicante Bouschet Chardonnay Verdelho Rotgipfler Roter Veltliner Pé agudo Tinta Madeira Traminer Grüner Veltliner Chenin Blanc Meslier-Saint-François Colombard Carignan Ruby Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Flora Semillon Bequignol Fer Servadou Royalty Trincadeiro Trousseau Sauvignon Blanc SEAN MYLES. "GENETIC STRUCTURE AND DOMESTICATION HISTORY OF THE GRAPE." PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MARCH 1, 2010, PAGES 3530-3535. RELATIONSHIPS AMONG GRAPE CULTIVARS