by Eddy Lee
Green Gems That Grow On TreesWine is perhaps the most highly-value of all man’s inventions in the realm of drinks and beverages. Wine has long been considered as valuable trade items and its historical significance cannot be denied. Wine comes from grapes, a fruit that grows in clusters on vines.
There are many varieties of grapes and the selective breeding of grapes has been an activity for as long as mankind has been producing wine. The archaeological evidence pointing to the earliest wine made from grapes tells us that wine was being made as far back as eight thousand years ago, around 6000 BC!
Even then, grapes were selected for specific properties, for both winemaking and ordinary consumption. Just so you know, the grapes made for eating are called “table grapes” and “wine grapes” are grown for wine.
For several centuries now, crossbreeding of wines has been the trend in producing new wine grapes, and thus new wines. Each wine’s qualities are defined by many factors, but it all starts with the kind of grape selected. There are a few favorite grape varieties, renowned for their capability of producing consistently good batches of wine.
In the 1960s and 70s, a popular variety of wine grape was the Emerald Riesling, or Emerald grape. The significance of Emerald grapes, therefore, extends for about five decades back.
The Emerald grape is a hybrid, produced for high quality and high productivity. It originated from the University of California Davis. It is a “white” grape; meaning that it has a pale skin.”White” is probably a misnomer, as these grapes are actually green. The Emerald grape was the result of the crossing between Muscatel and Riesling varieties. Though created for hot inland vineyards, it actually grows best towards the coast, particularly in its birth state of California.
The significance of the Emerald grape was great during the Sixties and Seventies, when wines made from this particular breed were popular. The significance of Emerald grapes has declined since then.
They are quite rare today, even in the vineyards scattered across California. They are also being grown in South Africa, though their output and success are limited.
A recent trend in food consciousness may bring hope for reintroducing the Emerald grape. Organic food movements have pushed for a return to simpler farming methods. Tied in with this is the concept of heritage vegetables and fruits. These are old varieties, and they often have qualities that significantly differ from their contemporary counterparts. With this return to old breeds, winemakers might look into the past for new inspiration.
Considering the significance of Emerald grapes in the past century, Emeralds may soon be growing on trees all over the winemaking world.It had enjoyed enormous popularity just a few decades ago, and the retro taste of wines made from this variety would bring a sense of nostalgia not just to older wine enthusiasts, but the new generations as well.
It is still being grown in small quantities, so its return should not prove difficult. Bringing it back would remind us of the significance of Emerald grapes in the recent history of winemaking, and the impact it had on the following generations of wine.With the Emerald grape, it turns out green gems do grow on trees!
About the author:
Eddy Lee is grape growing and wine making expert. For more great tips on emerald grape and make wine visit http://www.winemakinganswers.com.
