On Jan 10, 10:04*am, wrote:
> 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


Greg,
I don't grow but buy in hot climate grapes from the Central Valley of
CA (Pittsburgh could only be considered hot except by someone in
Antarctica...) What about Syrah? That is the most reliable grape I
get in, consistently decent acid balance and great color.

I did something weird with my Grenache this year, I made it as a
white, not a blush. It's literally white. I already bottled it; it's
that good now. I rarely bottle anything in the year it was picked,
this was a first. I threw the pressed skins in with the Syrah.
Tempanillo was a great idea too, you will like that guy too.


Joe