DNA reveals how Syrah and Viognier are related
Guest contributor
On Saturday 8 December Dr José Vouillamoz presented his latest, ground-breaking DNA research findings on the origins of rare alpine grape varieties to the General Assembly of the Centre d'Ampélographie Alpine Pierre Galet [the Pierre Galet centre for alpine ampelography] in Cevins in the Savoie region of France. (Vouillamoz is a member of the centre's scientific board.)
Viognier is the exclusive grape of Condrieu and is often blended with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie, and more recently in some top Shiraz wines in Australia, for example. The origin of Viognier, now cultivated worldwide, was previously unknown. According to Professor Pierre Galet, some...
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