Do vintners need to be concerned with cross-pollination between grape varieties?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Do vintners need to be concerned with cross-pollination between grape varieties?
—Mark W., Decatur, Ala.
Dear Mark,
Sure, we can talk about the sex life of grapevines! Grapevines are hermaphrodites that self-pollinate—the flower that will eventually become a grape pollinates itself. No bees (or birds) necessary. I hope that’s not TMI.
Besides just avoiding cross-pollination, hermaphroditic grapevines are more consistent growers, which is one less headache-inducing variable for viticulturists. If you wanted to see more traditional reproduction among grapes, you can plant a vine by seed, turn on some Barry White and let things take their course. Some really wonderful things have happened that way, like Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, and Pinotage, (Pinot Noir and Cinsault).
—Dr. Vinny
