Journal | April 3, 2020

Hardscrabble Journal

Linden’s Climate Change Variety Trial Vineyard

Part I: Whites

After almost two years in the planning stage, we will plant the beginnings of Linden’s Variety Trial Vineyard. The goal is to identify varieties that could show promise in the new reality of increasing and fluctuating temperatures and precipitation. Each year additional varieties could be added as we do more research and source more vines or budwood.

Desirable variety characteristics include:

  • Rot resistance (thick skins and loose clusters)

  • Late ripening (wines show best balance, energy, and poise when grapes ripen under cool conditions)

  • Winter hardiness: not much global data on this, so we will have to wait for an appropriate test winter.

We’ll start with five white varieties:

  • Aligoté. Long considered to be Chardonnay’s step-sister, Aligoté is the other white Burgundy. Chardonnay has a proven track record at Hardscrabble and Aligoté retains more acidity, which will be important with a warming climate.

  • Fiano. Makes the rich, long aged white wines of southern Italy (Campania). Barboursville Vineyards here in Virginia has had good success with Fiano.

  • Ribolla Gialla. A northern Italian white. Friuli is its place of origin, which has many climatic similarities to Virginia. Also naturally high in acidity.

  • Gruner Veltliner. Distinct Austrian grape grown with some success in the mid-Atlantic. Large clusters, ripe wine.

  • Scheurebe. A German hybrid (Riesling X Silvaner) known for its piercing acidity. Coupled with its ability to achieve very ripe characteristics, this could possibly surpass Riesling quality at the Hardscrabble site.

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