Are there any hot climate grape growers on this forum? I live in
Mesa, Arizona and I've been planting grapes in my yard and a friend's
yard gradually over the last year and a half. I've gone primarily with
grape varieties that have a long track record in southern Europe, like
Muscat, Tempranillo, Grenache, etc. I've also planted some table
grapes, and several native American and hybrid grapes, just to hedge
my bets a little.

I have a few spots left to fill and was wondering if anyone had any
recommendations they cared to share. This is a question that I
frequently pose to commercial winemakers when I meet them, and their
recommendations typically center on varieties from southern Europe,
but one suggested Petite Verdot. Since it's a Bordeaux variety, it
seemed like a strange suggestion at first, but he explained that it
rarely ripens fully in Bordeaux and would likely produce good wine
when grown in a hot climate.

It has occurred to me that there are hundreds of varieties grown in
Greece that would probably be well suited for growing here, but
unfortunately, they aren't available from any American nursery.

Anyone have any thoughts on hot climate grapes?

Greg