Introduction 

Unlock the hidden stories behind the world's most iconic grapes with our cutting-edge wine course, Wine Grapes:  Uncovering Origin and Family Ties. Guided by the renowned Dr. José Vouillamoz, this six-part webinar series dives deep into the genetic origins of grape varieties, revealing family connections, untold histories and surprising parentage. Discover how DNA profiling is revolutionising our understanding of wine and rewriting the textbooks! 

Across six fascinating sessions, you'll explore: 

• DNA Profiling: Finding Grape Fingerprints: Learn how genetic "fingerprints" can unveil the true origins of grape varieties, separating myth from reality. 

• The Powerful Potentates of the Grape World: Noiriens and Carmenets: Discover why Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc are the cornerstones of modern viticulture, shaping many of today’s most popular grapes. 

• Fabulous Fact Finding: Syrah, Viognier and Nebbiolo: Unravel the complex family tree of these beloved varieties. 

• Genetic SuperSleuthing: Sangiovese, Garnacha, and Tempranillo: Dive into the disputed origins and uncover the truth about these Old World stalwarts. 

• Austria and the Missing Link: Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, StLaurent and Grüner Veltliner: Find out how Gouais Blanc connects to Austria’s Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Grüner Veltliner. 

• ZinQuest: From Tribigrag to Zinfandel: Trace the dramatic journey of Zinfandel from Croatia to California, and uncover its true ancestry. 

Don't miss the opportunity to connect history, science and wine in a way that will transform how you view every glass! 

This course is split into two parts, with three sessions in each. You can find sessions 1-3 here in Part One and when you’re ready you can progress to Part Two. You can find the course presentations available for download by using the tabs below the videos. 

Summary

Session 1 – DNA Profiling:  Finding Grape Fingerprints  

Grape origin stories are the stuff of legend—colorful, dramatic and very often…false. Today, science has finally found a way to separate fact from fiction!  

Just as with humans, DNA serves as the blueprint of the grapevine. It defines its core characteristics—everything that makes a single grape variety unique. In this first webinar, Dr. José Vouillamoz explains how a variety’s genetic code can be analysed using “fingerprinting” techniques to identify grape family relationships and ancestry. By scrutinising a vine’s DNA, researchers can unveil a living history. This is blockbuster myth busting at its very best. 

• What is a grape variety?   

• DNA profiling – how does it work?   

• Grape Identification   

• Pedigree Reconstruction   

Session 2 – The Powerful Potentates of the Grape World:  Noiriens and Carmenets  

DNA is destiny. While the genetic codes of many grape varieties relegate them to the shallow end of the gene pool, Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir have distinguished themselves as a cut above. Prolifically promiscuous, they have passed on their genetic material to many of the grapevines in commercial production today. Find out what sets these two superstars apart from the rest and how they have become “founder varieties”.  

• “Pinot” is not a family!  

• Gouais, the unsung hero   

• The origin of Cabernet Sauvignon  

• The surprising parentage of Merlot  

Session 3 –Fabulous FactFinding:  Syrah, Viognier and Nebbiolo  

Syrah, Viognier, and Nebbiolo are three very different grapes crafting very different wines. Yet, they share a secret link. In this webinar, Dr. José Vouillamoz will unravel their complex family tree—one that includes Pinot and other surprising offspring. Just watch the mystery unfold! (Popcorn optional)  

• The parentage of Syrah  

• How is Syrah related to Pinot?   

• The origin of Viognier  

• The Nebbiolo family  

About the Speaker

Dr José Vouillamoz is a Swiss grape geneticist of international fame and one of the world's leading authorities on the origin and parentage of grape varieties through DNA profiling. He trained with Prof Carole Meredith at the University of California at Davis (USA) and co-authored (with Jancis Robinson MW and Julia Harding MW) the multi-award  winning book Wine Grapes (Allen Lane, 2012), the ultimate reference on all the grape varieties that are cultivated in the world.  In 2019, Wine Grapes was published in Japanese. In 2017, he published the reference book Cépages Suisses - Histoires et Origines that was a huge national success, which was later translated into German and English. Dr Vouillamoz is also author and co-author of several scientific papers and grape books, such as the Oxford Companion to Wine and the World Atlas of Wine. Dr Vouillamoz is an independent wine expert, wine writer, wine educator and lecturer, as well as a member of the Académie Internationale du Vin, the Académie du Vin de Bordeaux (only Swiss member), the Mémoire des Vins Suisses and the Circle of Wine Writers. Since 2019, he is the deputy director of DIVO, the most important and ancient wine club in Switzerland. 

Other notable accomplishments:  

• PhD in Plant Genetics – 2 post docs  
• Identified the parents of Sangiovese in 2004  
• Discovered the family relationship between Pinot and Syrah in 2006 
• Author – Swiss Grapes:  History and Origin (English in 2019)