Scientists Isolate Genetic Difference Between European and American Vines

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for the Dec. 15, 2009 issue

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Issue: December 15, 2009

Some people consider being called "foxy" a compliment, but it's never good for wine. It describes a musty or wet fur smell and is an infamous characteristic of wines made from American Vitis labrusca grapes. But in a new study, German scientists have discovered a gene that could enable selective breeding to eliminate the foxy flavor, setting the stage for hybrids that are as disease- and pest-hardy as American vines, but produce wines as beautiful as those from European vines.

For the full article, check out the new issue of Wine Spectator, on newsstands November 24, 2009.

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