They graft cuttings onto root stock of other grape varieties. This method had been used since the French vines were decimated by a visus in the 1890's
saying that they plant cuttings is kinda like the question: which came first the chicken or the egg? Truth is, they are the first 'Frankenstein food'.. they are the very first genetically modified foods.
I am the only one to question whether this is a very well masked euphemism for City's performance last night? if so, 10 points to Brisbane Tiger..
Phylloxera is an insect which feeds on the grapevine. It is native to North America and American vines are resident to the fungal infection that follows the Phylloxera feeding on the plant. European vines, having never been exposed to attack had not developed the same resistance. Vines had been moved across the Atlantic for years until problems occurred. It was only when steam ships meant that crossing the Atlantic quickly became possible that Phylloxera survived the journey. This was disastrous as the little insect, it's basically a kind of aphid, quickly spread through the Languedoc region of France destroying the native grapevines. It began to spread all over Europe. There was no option other than digging up every European vine and replacing them with American rootstock, with European vines grafted onto them. This worked as the plants died due to disease which attacked the roots. American rootstock have evolved a natural defence. Most of the wine produced in Europe now is grown on American grafted vines. Without American intervention in the 1860s there would be no vines grown in Europe. The French don't like to talk about this for some reason.
1. It was French plants that were originally exported to California, so the vines have French heritage 2. The French do acknowledge this quirk of fate actually 3. Have you ever tried Cote Rotie?
1. True, but they are still American. Many human Americans were exported to the New World. Several generations later they acknowledge their European roots but describe themselves as full American citizens. If grapes could talk they'd do the same. 2. I never said they didn't, just that it's hardly their favourite subject. 3. No. I tend to make my own.
