Mystery: whole cluster
The harvest of the 2012 vintage has begun in some parts of the northern hemisphere.
Here’s a picture of some whole clusters of grapes, just harvested. Strut your grape savvy by telling us which variety are they are. Degree of difficulty: 8.
Let’s hope they don’t have a stuck fermentation, otherwise would be a whole clusterstuck.
Answer and photo credit to follow.
On August 28th, 2012 at 11:42 am ,Jaume wrote:
Syrah? Not ripped uniformerly
On August 28th, 2012 at 11:50 am ,Anatoli wrote:
How about Tempranillo?
On August 28th, 2012 at 11:56 am ,Lara Chapman wrote:
Petit Verdot?
On August 28th, 2012 at 12:26 pm ,Tyler wrote:
I know a couple wineries I follow on Facebook indicated harvesting in Carneros last week, so I’ll guess Pinot Noir.
Failing that, perhaps we’re looking at the soon-to-be 2012 Beaujolais Neauveau? That’d make it Gamay.
On August 28th, 2012 at 12:34 pm ,Steve wrote:
They are Pinot Noir
On August 28th, 2012 at 12:41 pm ,Quizicat wrote:
I’ll have to go with Pinot Noir as well
On August 28th, 2012 at 12:44 pm ,Rhonda wrote:
Syrah
On August 28th, 2012 at 12:51 pm ,RobinC wrote:
Merlot
On August 28th, 2012 at 1:00 pm ,gabe wrote:
they look too big to be pinot, but the shape does remind me of pinot noir. maybe it could be plumped up from irrigated vines in a warm climate. too dark to be gamay. it seems too early in the harvest to be syrah, but it could be for a syrah rose. bunches are too tight to be merlot, cab, tempranillo, or anything italian.
i’m gonna guess this is pinot noir from the central coast, or some other location that is too warm and should stop growing pinot noir. that said, if this turns out to be burgundy, i will be embarrassed.
On August 28th, 2012 at 1:07 pm ,bill st john wrote:
i am guessing pinot family, noir or meunier, based on shape; i understand ‘pinot’ name comes from french ‘pineau,’ an old french word for ‘pinecone,’ the general shape of the bunch
On August 28th, 2012 at 1:55 pm ,Mike Ford wrote:
Vineyard insurance – Merlot
On August 28th, 2012 at 2:58 pm ,David J wrote:
I’m going to take a very wild guess– those tight tight bunches…early ripening– Côt/Malbec from Cahors.
On August 28th, 2012 at 8:26 pm ,Ron Saikowski wrote:
Pinot Noir is usually the earliest of the reds to harvest. Further there are clusters varying from unripe to ripe to the beginnings of raisins. This non-uniform ripening is indicative of Pinot Noir.
BTW, Texas started harvesting vitis vinifera the last week in July due to abnormally early bud break in the beginning of March!
On August 28th, 2012 at 8:44 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Hey – great guesses here. None is 100% correct yet for the variety but some are close! [cough bill st john cough cough]
On August 28th, 2012 at 9:09 pm ,Ron Saikowski wrote:
My second thought of the Mystery Grape is Sangiovese.
On August 28th, 2012 at 9:28 pm ,monkeybvoy wrote:
Definitely NZ Sauv blanc, I mean chardonnay.
Am I close? What do I win? 😉
On August 28th, 2012 at 10:07 pm ,Quizicat wrote:
Pinotage?
On August 28th, 2012 at 10:33 pm ,Greg wrote:
pineau d’aunis
On August 28th, 2012 at 10:54 pm ,gabe wrote:
pinot gris!
On August 28th, 2012 at 11:32 pm ,Steve wrote:
Now that I look at it again, it’s Pinot Gris!
On August 29th, 2012 at 12:38 am ,David J wrote:
Ok, right– Menu Pineau!
On August 29th, 2012 at 12:40 am ,David J wrote:
Sorry, meant Frühburgunder, whatever the French name is…;)
On August 29th, 2012 at 1:03 am ,Michael Risenhoover wrote:
I think Bill St John had it right at Pinot Meunier.
On August 29th, 2012 at 1:20 am ,Mark Wysling wrote:
Your picture is of Pinot Gris! 🙂
On August 29th, 2012 at 3:16 am ,Dbfoods.org wrote:
Tinta da barca
On August 29th, 2012 at 9:58 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Gabe got it–eventually! Nice going.
Steve and Mark W also got it.
So it is Pinot Gris, harvested in California this week by Pax Mahle and co for Wind Gap wines. Here’s the link to his original photo
Thanks for playing! Happy harvesting, all.
On August 29th, 2012 at 10:33 am ,Rob wrote:
Northern hemisphere…August harvest…I’m thinking Champagne and either Pinot noir or Pinot Munier.
On August 29th, 2012 at 12:09 pm ,jaclyn wrote:
pinotnoir!
On August 29th, 2012 at 12:27 pm ,bill st john wrote:
hahaha! good on us all …
On August 29th, 2012 at 1:28 pm ,gabe wrote:
tricky!
i think we all saw purple grapes and guessed red wine. i got it after the clue. still no excuse, as i am sitting about 400 yards from an acre of pinot gris as i type this (in fairness, our grapes in oregon are still green).
tons of fun, thanks dr. v!
On August 29th, 2012 at 3:31 pm ,SUAMW wrote:
has to be an early grape – Pinot Noir?
On August 29th, 2012 at 4:10 pm ,SUAMW wrote:
Damn, helps to read. The uneven ripening is the tell – P Gris….
On August 29th, 2012 at 4:15 pm ,Wednesday’s Meritage – Wine Quiz Answer, WBC13, #CabernetDay, Blog Monetization and more « Talk-A-Vino wrote:
[…] Texas already picked they grapes, and California wineries are well on the way. Dr. Vino just had a great quiz regarding the harvest – try it on for a size, you might find the answer quite […]
On August 30th, 2012 at 3:38 am ,James wrote:
Nebbiolo?
On August 30th, 2012 at 8:22 am ,Not going to use my name wrote:
Anyone who saw Pax’s FB page should step away from the award ceremony
On August 30th, 2012 at 8:20 pm ,P wrote:
Grenache?
On September 4th, 2012 at 11:25 pm ,Mark wrote:
Texas is already harvesting! Some things might be best, not to promote!
On September 5th, 2012 at 7:53 am ,Ron Saikowski wrote:
Texas’ early harvest has been outstanding with many vineyard owners and winemakers calling it the “harvest of the century!” Fact, not promotion!
On October 28th, 2012 at 1:42 pm ,Bob Siddoway wrote:
That was a tricky one. No wonder it took so long for people to guess the right varietal!
Looks like the beginnings of some tasty vino to me!