Hardscrabble Journal

Linden’s Climate Change Variety Trial Vineyard

Part II: Reds

Our first plantings include mostly late to very late ripening varieties (with the exception of Saperavi). As the heat increases we find that mid-season ripening Merlot is losing finesse and depth at Hardscrabble (although making great wines at the cooler Avenius site). When red grapes ripen under conditions of warm days and cool nights they produce wines with better tannins, color, verve, density, aromatics, and complexity.

Some of these varieties (Mourvèdre and Aglianico) may be pushing the envelope in terms of late ripening. My guess is that at this time they will struggle to get fully ripe, but given the climate predictions, we may not have to wait long.

Many of these varieties were inspired by Jonathan Weber, Linden’s resident Italian wine aficionado.

• Corvina Veronese. The red grape of Valpolicella and Amarone. Late ripening and winter cold resistant.

• Saperavi. Russian variety, Georgian (country of) examples best known in the US. Ripens early to mid-season which could be problematic, but very winter hardy.

• Mourvèdre. AKA Monastrell (Spain) and Mataro (New World). Deep, brooding wines, but could ripen too late for our site. At least for now. There’s always rosé while we wait for global warming to catch up.

• Aglianico. southern Italian Variety. We were inspired by the wines of Mastroberardino. Likes volcanic soils. Our soils are of volcanic origin.

• Montepulciano. Central Italy (Abruzzi). Late ripening. Has done well in a couple of Mid-Atlantic vineyards. Good rot resistance.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: April 4, 2020