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

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

On Jan 10, 10:20 am, Joe Sallustio > wrote:
> On Jan 10, 10:04 am, wrote:
> >
> > ...
> >
> Greg,
> ... What about Syrah? That is the most reliable grape I
> get in, consistently decent acid balance and great color.

Yep, I have two Syrah vines. It's the variety most recommended for hot
climates. A famous wine maker from Paso Robles told me... "that Syrah
just soaks up the sun and can't get enough... in the heat of summer
it's like 'is that all you got, give me some more!' "

> 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.

Great idea. There's a white Merlot from southern Arizona that's
supposed to be really good. It'll be a while before I'm getting any
grapes off of my Grenache vine, but when I do I'll have to try making
a white wine.

> Joe

Thanks for the ideas.

Greg