Counoise, Grillo and Piquepoul Blanc are some of the cultivars that may become a household name in the South African wine industry following Vititec’s annual clone tasting.
A panel of prominent viticulturists and winemakers participated in a tasting and discussion of cultivars and clones that hold the potential for further propagation. The 46 wines up for tasting were made on a small scale from wine grape clones that were imported by Vititec from 2007 to 2010. Charles Visser, chief viticulturist at Vititec, remarked that this year’s tasting stood out for the fact that it was the first time that these clones that were cultivated on home soil, were presented to the industry in liquid format. Some of the other cultivars tasted included Macabeu, Vermentino, Marselan and Arinarnoa. Two additional industry tastings will be presented in October and November. – Charles Visser, Vititec
