Introduction 

This is Part Two of this course. The first three sessions can be found in Part One here. 

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 FactFinding: 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 in Part One and on this page are the remaining sessions 4-6. You can find the course presentations available for download by using the tabs below the videos. 

Summary

Session 4 – Genetic SuperSleuthing:  Sangiovese, Garnacha, and Tempranillo 

More “grape” stories! The drama continues! Digging deeper into genetic profiles, we will learn about the parentage and ‘birthplace’ of Sangiovese, Garnacha, and Tempranillo. Did location, mutation, or transportation introduce the grapes to new environments, or is there confusion about different grapes cultivated by similar names? Finally… answers!  

• The disputed parentage of Sangiovese  

• Is Garnacha from Spain or Sardegna?   

• The obscure origin of Tempranillo   

Session 5 – Austria and the Missing Link:  Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Grüner Veltliner  

Gouais Blanc does it again, this time playing an important role in Austria’s indigenous and labcreated varieties!  We’ve picked up the Austrian branch of the family tree as the Gouais progenies contiue to grow!   

• Is Blaufränkisch really Austrian?   

• The creation of Friedrich (Fritz) Zweigelt  

• Is St. Laurent related to Pinot?   

• Grüner Veltliner – the unbelievable missing link   

Session 6 – ZinQuest:  From Tribigrag to Zinfandel    

The story of Zinfandel is a high-drama grape odyssey rooted in history but uncovered in the 21st century. Tribidrag/Primitivo/Zinfandel is the same (but different!) grape in Croatia, Italy and California. Which one is its birthplace? By piecing together DNA profiles and history, we will uncover the truth and put the saga to rest.  

• What’s in a name?   

• The quest for Zinfandel in Dalmatia  

• The true origins of Zinfandel   

• The complete pedigree of Tribidrag  

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)