I put in two more rows of grapes in the back yard vineyard this spring. I chose two varieties that I’m real excited about. Marquette, and ‘Corot noir’™ (pronounced “kor-oh nwahr”). Both of these vines are hybrid’s genetically modified to be more disease and pest resistant in SE Indiana.

Isn’t that something? We can mess with our grape vines and make them “better.” Particularly, I find the Corot Noir very interesting. These vines showed up with a pedigree that details how Cornell arrived at this particular specimen. Totally cool. Cornell gets a .50 cent royalty for every Corot Noir grape-vine sold anywhere. My vines were about $7.50 each. That’s cheaper than going in to a Lowe’s and buying a typical Concord.

Corot Noir is a mid to late season red wine grape suitable for either blending or the production of varietal wines. The wine has a deep red color and attractive cherry and berry fruit aromas. Its tannin structure is complete from the front of the mouth to the back, with big soft tannins. The vine is moderately winter hardy and moderately resistant to fungal diseases.

‘Corot noir’ was developed by the grape breeding program at Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. It is a complex intraspecific hybrid red wine grape resulting from a cross made in 1970 between Seyve Villard 18-307 and ‘Steuben’ (again, see pedigree). From 250 seeds, 160 seedlings were grown in a nursery then transplanted to a seedling vineyard in 1975.

Wanna know more about this neat-ass grape? Hit this PDF.

By Bruce Bordelon, Ph.D.
Viticulture Specialist

Purdue University

• Production 60% of normal due to Easter freeze
• Early harvest prevented lady beetle damage

The 2007 growing season was unusually warm and dry across much of the Midwest. The year’s most significant event was the “Easter Freeze” that hit much of the region. After record warm temperatures in March, early April brought several days of below freezing temperatures. Many fruit crops across the region were severely damaged. Most of Indiana’s vineyards had shoot growth of 1 to 6 inches at the time of the freeze, and were damaged severely. Fortunately, secondary buds on most varieties were highly fruitful and a reasonably good crop was produced. Overall production was about 60% of normal.

The summer months were hot and dry. Growing degree-day accumulation was about 25% above average. Rainfall was about 75% of normal in most areas, but less than 50% of normal in southeast Indiana. Grape disease pressure was minimal, due to the dry conditions. Powdery mildew was the only disease of any concern.

Harvest dates were about normal for early grape varieties, but the season was compressed, with many of the mid- and late season varieties harvested one to two weeks earlier than normal. The multi-colored Asian lady beetle was not a problem this season, because the early harvest occurred before beetles began to move into grapes.

Fruit quality was excellent overall. The 2006-07 winter was slightly warmer than normal, and winter injury was minor. Coldest temperatures occurred in early to mid-February, and ranged from 0[degrees]F in the southern half to -12[degrees]F in northern Indiana.

Demand for Indiana-grown grapes continues to outpace supply, which has led to a modest increase in acreage. Most of the new plantings have been in the premium hybrids, but some vinifera varieties are being produced on the best sites. Indiana currently has 36 wineries, with several expected to open in the near future.

Indiana wine sales exceeded 700,000 gallons in 2006. Welcoming more than 1 million visitors each year, the Indiana wine industry contributes more than $34 million to the state’s economy, and is the state’s No. 1 agri-tourism destination. For additional information about the Indiana wine industry, please visit indianawines.org.