The problem: fungal diseases
The European wine vine is very vulnerable to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew, which arrived from North America in the nineteenth century. To protect the grapes, growers spray many times a season.
Organic growers avoid synthetic chemicals but still rely on copper and sulfur, so even organic viticulture is not fully sustainable.
What are PIWI varieties?
PIWI is short for the German pilzwiderstandsfähig, “fungus-resistant”. These varieties are bred by crossing European vines with resistant American or Asian species and then crossing back to European vines over many generations, so the wine tastes like classic wine.
Well-known examples include Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Blanc, Johanniter and Regent. They need far fewer sprays, and some growers barely spray at all.
Why they are not everywhere yet
Consumers know Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, not Souvignier Gris. Many appellation rules only allow traditional varieties. And some critics feel the wines are not yet at the level of the classics.
That is changing as breeding improves, climate change adds pressure and rules slowly open up.
A question for the whole wine world
In The Science of Wine, Dr. Jamie Goode is in the Mosel to find out whether new resistant varieties can save the future of wine, talking to a scientist and a wine producer before giving his verdict.
Go furtherTo explore the estates, vineyards and wines of Germany further, the wein.plus wine guide is a great resource.
Watch the episode · 29 min
The Science of Wine: Do We Need New Grape Varieties?
See the full story on screen. This episode is part of the WineMasters.TV membership, on your TV, laptop, tablet and phone.
Watch the episodeFrequently asked questions
What does PIWI mean?
PIWI comes from the German word for fungus-resistant. PIWI varieties resist diseases such as powdery and downy mildew.
Are PIWI wines organic?
Not automatically, but because they need far fewer sprays, they suit organic and low-input farming very well.
Do PIWI wines taste different?
Modern PIWI varieties are bred to taste like classic wines. Their aromas depend on the variety, just like any other grape.