Apparently, there are a few modern Gregory Mendels tinkering with the genetic makeup of various plants, especially wine grapes, most likely because the grape is such a cash crop. Who doesn't like grapes after all? Nobody, that's who. But some grapes have become extremely popular of late since a critically-acclaimed movie or two haved hyped one varietal over another.
Italian scientists have cracked open the genetic make-up of Pinot Noir, responsible for the great red wines of Burgundy, in a breakthrough that may lead to hardier vines and cheaper fine wines.
The researchers said on Wednesday they had found more than 2 million genetic variants within the Pinot Noir grape, providing winegrowers with a "treasure trove" in the hunt for new strains.
Pinot Noir, made famous by the 2004 film Sideways, has been dubbed the "heartbreak grape" because it is so difficult to grow and susceptible to disease.
Pinot is one of our favorites at the moment, mostly because the pinots of California and Oregon are so very very good, but we've started to run into the higher end pinots. It's truly prohibitive to drink such expensive wine regularly unless one has started his own vineyard or technology company in wine country.
If modern science can perfect the pinot grape to make it much hardier than we're all for it. Pinots are wine grapes too, and getting a bottle of Goldeneye or Jack Creek Cellars for under $30 would suit us just fine.