Racism in grapes

"Winemakers protect 'outlawed' grapes" (International Herald Tribune online) is an interesting look at the unwelcome the American grape varietes have received in Europe.

Gale, the American grape expert, believes nationalism was often the subtext of efforts to keep American grape varieties out of European soil. Hitler ordered American varieties uprooted in Germany during the 1930s because he said they were of lower culture. French farmers only reluctantly used rootstock from America when diseases ravaged their crops.

Interestingly, at one point the European varieties have been saved by the strong character of the American grapes.

Ironically, the European vines were ultimately spared by the American ones: Well-known European varieties like Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir were grafted onto the resistant American rootstock.

See, we can all benefit from a multi-national approach to viticulture!