Oenophiles everywhere take note – a newly identified virus may impact the quality of some of your favorite wines. Dubbed “grapevine red blotch-associated virus” or GRBaV, the pathogen was jointly identified in 2012 by Cornell virologists Marc Fuchs and Keith Perry in the Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology, along with colleagues at UC-Davis. The virus is believed responsible for grapevine red blotch disease, an affliction first identified simultaneously in East and West Coast vineyards in 2008. The disease is characterized by red blotches and spots that appear on the leaves in late summer and early fall. Although afflicted vines do not seem to be harmed by the disease itself, it can delay fruit ripening and significantly reduce the Brix levels (or sugar content) of grapes, resulting in a harmful impact on the quality of wine produced.
The disease, which has now been identified in several grape varieties in vineyards in California, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, has become an increasing concern to growers. Fuchs recently presented to a standing-room-only crowd at the Napa Wine + Grape Expo, where he emphasized the importance of proper identification of the disease (which shares symptoms with other grapevine diseases) in treating and controlling outbreaks. Growers who wish to learn more can watch his presentation full presentation here.
