By 
0
0
Grapevine clones sound like a 21st century invention involving a futuristic machine. However, it’s actually a very old technique used for replanting grapevines, one that has been around for about as long as the idea of a vineyard. There are two ways to plant new vines, through seeds or through cuttings. When a seed is planted, there is no way to know which grape variety will grow. For example, planting a Pinot Noir seed will not create another Pinot Noir vine, it will create an entirely new grape variety. The only way to make more vines of the same variety is to plant through cuttings. These cuttings, unlike seeds, are exact DNA copies of the vine they are taken from. This cutting is also called a clone.
Clonal Selection vs. Selection Masssale
When a winery wants to plant new vines they have two ways to get cuttings. The first way is to buy a few different clones from a grape nursery. The nursery has many choices of clones, each chosen for certain attributes or traits. There is often a lot of research involved on the clones the nursery sells to understand these attributes. This is called clonal selection, and has been popular since the 1960s and 1970s. The second, ancient method is called selection massale. This is when a winery takes cuttings from tons of different vines in their own vineyard or vineyards nearby. In recent years there has been some pushback on clonal selection. Some wineries, especially in the old world, have started using selection massale again.
Pros and Cons
Critics of clonal selection say that vineyards planted using this method are not genetically diverse enough. A clonal selection vineyard will end up with a handful of different clones throughout the vineyard. A selection massale vineyard has a much larger variety of clones. This can be an issue if a new disease, or abnormal weather pattern appears. If one clone is especially sensitive to the new situation, it will have a much bigger impact on the vineyard that used clonal selection. These critics also say that more clonal diversity leads to more complex, interesting wines.
A benefit of clonal selection is that the nurseries ensure the cuttings are disease free. Diseases are easily passed on from the mother vine to the new vine through the cutting. Disease prevention was the main reason clonal selection began in the first place. Another benefit is the amount of knowledge about each clone. The winery is able to pick out certain clones with attributes or traits that will work best with their region and wine style.
How are New Clones Made
It can be easier to think of clones almost as varietals within varietals. Depending on the grape varietal, there are hundreds of different clones. The more popular the variety, the more clones. This is because as grapes grow they undergo tiny changes within their DNA; these changes can sometimes lead to slightly different attributes. This does not mean a clone of Pinot Noir can suddenly become Syrah, or an entirely new varietal. The changes from clone to clone are extremely tiny, and all the clones of one variety will basically have the same DNA. Over many generations these changes can help the vine adapt to different climates, or even slightly change the grapes the vine produces.
Considering Climate
When choosing clones it’s important for wineries to take their climate into consideration. Certain clones are better adapted to particular regions and climates. For example, Chardonnay is grown all over the world. There are Chardonnay clones that are better suited for cold climates, like Champagne and clones that are better for hot climates, like Australia. It’s common for new world wineries to take clones from old world regions with similar climates. For example, Oregon wineries often use Burgundian clones.
Choosing Clones
Beyond climate consideration, there are many different attributes wineries can look for when searching for clones. Here are a few common attributes that can vary from clone to clone:
- Productivity Levels
- Berry Size
- Acid Retention
- Ripening Speed
- Color of the Final Wine
- Disease Resistance
- Body of the Final Wine
- Final Tastes and Aromas in the Wine
Clone choice can have a big impact on the final wine. If a winery is choosing clones of Chardonnay for a sparkling wine, they are going to choose clones that have less fruity aromas and higher levels of acidity. If they would like to make a full bodied, rich Chardonnay, they will choose clones that give more intense fruit flavors and a richer mouthful.
Clones as a Piece of the Puzzle
The important thing to remember about clones is that their attributes are not guarantees. The same clone may act differently depending on where it’s planted. The vineyard, the soils, and the climate all affect the vines and its grapes. Clones are simply one factor in a multitude that determine how well the vine grows, and how the wine will ultimately taste.
Clones are starting to become a hot topic in the wine world. Wineries have started using this information to sell their wines. It’s now possible to see terms like selection massale or the names of clones on wine labels. Maybe in the future you will specify not just the varietal, but also which clone you would like!
By 
