Congratulations to Stephen Casscles on the newly revised edition of his outstanding book!!! Tons of new material!!!!!!!
The newly revised SECOND EDITION of Grapes of the Hudson Valley and Other Cool Climate Regions of the United States and Canada. The release of this NEW second edition means that this landmark grape identification and winemaking book is now back in print! This book is a MUST HAVE for any wine grower from Pennsylvania northward straight across the country and in Canada. It covers cool climate and cold climate grapes. The ultimate source of history, growing, and winemaking.
It includes new revelations about the true genetic ancestry of Catawba, Concord, Chambourcin, and Vignoles. It updates the genetic history of Catawba & Concord now that it is clear that Catawba is one-half vinifera (Semillon) in its parentage and that Concord is an off spring of Catawba, which means it is one-quarter vinifera in it's genetic ancestry. This means that many Concord and Catawba heritage hybrids such as Iona, Jefferson, Diamond, and Diana, now conclusively have significant European vinifera heritage.
This second edition contains two new chapters on rarely covered 19th century Heritage grape varieties developed in New England. The author grows many of these New England heritage varieties and finds them to be hardy, fungus disease resistant, & productive in the field, and make quality wines in the cellar and co-ferments in the brewery.
The historic significance of this new Second edition is that evaluates over 200 cool climate grape varieties with an eye towards assisting fruit growers and winemakers across the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, and Northeast Asia to identify grape varieties that are hardy, fungus disease resistant, and productive so that they can be grown either in a sustainable manner with minimal pesticide applications, and in some cases organically.
Specifics:
The Second Edition is Significant because:
The first 14 Chapters remain largely intact except for the following improvements:
- It gives a better DNA description of Catawba and Concord. As it turns out Catawba is 1/2 Vinifera (Semilion), and Concord is an off spring of Catawba, so it is 1/4 Vinifera. This is important because many Native American hybrids are really Concord or Catawba hybrids, so that changes our outlook on these varieties as well Concord & Catawba hybrids. (much of which are now up and coming grape varieties such as Iona, Diana, Diamond, and Jefferson)
- Updates the genetic make up and parentage of Chambourcin and Vignoles. and these 2 grapes seem to be increasing in popularity. Prof. Bruce Reisch, pointed out the new literature on the derivation of Vignoles, so he is happy about this new change, and it is actually first time that this genetic history has been published outside of Europe.
PLUS: TWO NEW CHAPTERS! These cover New England Heritage grape varieties; (Chapters 15 and 16)
- Includes a chapter on Grapes of ES Rogers (Salem, MA 1851), these are great grapes to grow, and this classification of grapes is important as the famous grape breeder of Denison, TX , T.V. Munson used many of the Rogers grapes as the basis of his his breeding work. These grapes seem to be making a comeback in the Mid-West and Plains States. See the TerraVox Winery.
- Includes the VT grape variety Winchell (a white grape) which is the basis of most of the Cornell white wine grapes, (Cayuga White, Melody, and that new Cornell white which is a Cayuga White hybrid).
- Includes the Rogers grape Herbert which was heavily used by Cornell to breed its red wine grapes such as Corot Noir.
A significant contribution to the literature on Cool Climate / Heritage grape varieties. Also, with growers becoming more interested in growing grapes that are capable of being grown sustainably, this 2nd Edition is really a "Who's Who" in Listing Cool Climate and Heritage Grape varieties that can be grown in a sustainable manner and are better able to combat the increasingly violent weather patterns that seem to be occurring with Climate Change. These grapes are winter hardy, fungus disease resistant, very productive, are own rooted, AND Make quality wine.
A great resource for SOMMs as well! A MUST HAVE for the complete winemaker's library!