Comments on: The Grüner Question http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/05/24/the-gruner-question/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:04:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cherries and Clay » Blog Archive » Growing The Doctor’s Grape http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/05/24/the-gruner-question/comment-page-1/#comment-1738 Cherries and Clay » Blog Archive » Growing The Doctor’s Grape Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:28:30 +0000 http://www.cherriesandclay.com/?p=246#comment-1738 [...] and I have been scheming and dreaming about drinking Okanagan wine from Austrian transplants for almost a year now. My little make believe plot of Okanagan land is quickly filling with rows of Austrian grapes: [...] [...] and I have been scheming and dreaming about drinking Okanagan wine from Austrian transplants for almost a year now. My little make believe plot of Okanagan land is quickly filling with rows of Austrian grapes: [...]

]]> By: Jake http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/05/24/the-gruner-question/comment-page-1/#comment-70 Jake Tue, 26 May 2009 18:02:46 +0000 http://www.cherriesandclay.com/?p=246#comment-70 KH, Yes, all valid points. It's such a big move to plant something new (especially if that means ripping something old out), and like you said, who knows what it will taste like? Predicting trends on a large commercial scale is tricky business and a huge gamble. I love the idea of growers having small plantings of more obscure varietals just to see how they do here and how they taste, because we do have the freedom to play around viticulturally in BC and we are still on the lookout for new and interesting things. But I do also see how that could be prime chardonnay vineyard space that would sell anyways. Who knows, maybe the gruner would lack its charming minerality and be overripe, but I'd still love to taste it. I guess we'll have to wait and see... KH,
Yes, all valid points. It’s such a big move to plant something new (especially if that means ripping something old out), and like you said, who knows what it will taste like? Predicting trends on a large commercial scale is tricky business and a huge gamble. I love the idea of growers having small plantings of more obscure varietals just to see how they do here and how they taste, because we do have the freedom to play around viticulturally in BC and we are still on the lookout for new and interesting things. But I do also see how that could be prime chardonnay vineyard space that would sell anyways.

Who knows, maybe the gruner would lack its charming minerality and be overripe, but I’d still love to taste it. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

]]> By: KH http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/05/24/the-gruner-question/comment-page-1/#comment-69 KH Tue, 26 May 2009 15:07:06 +0000 http://www.cherriesandclay.com/?p=246#comment-69 It's a good question, Jake. I wondered this too when I was in Austria a few years ago. I don't think it's due to any climactic unsuitability. In fact, the OK climate could be an interesting candidate, the only caveat being I don't know how GV does under very hot weather conditions like we get mid-summer. Soil-wise perhaps the mineral rich dirt of Vernon? Or Cawston? I don't know what we have in the way of granite... But, largely I think it's a matter of trend, as you say. Availability, but also recognition and interest from winemakers. But the interest should come, once (or if) the public gets on board. The real mystery of course, is what would Okanagan GV taste like? Would we be able to find the real charm of the variety from our terroir? It's such a dirt-driven wine, that I think much hinges on this. Is there a risk that it manifests only as a simple wine, and is limited to this? I believe only time (vine age, perfecting vinification technique, etc) will tell, so if indeed Stoneboat is investigating, this is very intriguing. It’s a good question, Jake. I wondered this too when I was in Austria a few years ago.
I don’t think it’s due to any climactic unsuitability. In fact, the OK climate could be an interesting candidate, the only caveat being I don’t know how GV does under very hot weather conditions like we get mid-summer. Soil-wise perhaps the mineral rich dirt of Vernon? Or Cawston? I don’t know what we have in the way of granite…
But, largely I think it’s a matter of trend, as you say. Availability, but also recognition and interest from winemakers. But the interest should come, once (or if) the public gets on board.
The real mystery of course, is what would Okanagan GV taste like? Would we be able to find the real charm of the variety from our terroir? It’s such a dirt-driven wine, that I think much hinges on this. Is there a risk that it manifests only as a simple wine, and is limited to this? I believe only time (vine age, perfecting vinification technique, etc) will tell, so if indeed Stoneboat is investigating, this is very intriguing.

]]> By: Lee Murphy http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/05/24/the-gruner-question/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Lee Murphy Tue, 26 May 2009 05:23:11 +0000 http://www.cherriesandclay.com/?p=246#comment-68 I asked my husband, the winemaker/vineyard planter, the same question - I'll let you know if I win, it's by far my favorite.... I asked my husband, the winemaker/vineyard planter, the same question – I’ll let you know if I win, it’s by far my favorite….

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