News from Cornell's Viticulture and Enology Program
Issue 6 April 2011
RESEARCH FOCUS
Variable Eastern Weather Influences Powdery Mildew Severity (pdf)
Heat accumulation during August-September—affecting the amount of overwintering cleistothecia that mature and survive—and water pan evaporation from two weeks pre-bloom to fruit set, are key predictors of powdery mildew severity in New York.
FACULTY FOCUS
5 Questions for Justine Vanden Heuvel
Vanden Heuvel has been assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture since 2007, with a teaching and research program in viticulture.
STUDENT FOCUS
Practical Perspectives: The New York Industry in the Viticulture and Enology Curriculum
Expanded field trips to N.Y. vineyards and wineries from Lake Erie to Long Island provide practical education for Viticulture and Enology students.
EXTENSION FOCUS
NY Wine and Grape Classifieds Generates $1.2M in Transactions in 2010
Finger Lakes Grape Program's website replaces word-of-mouth for sourcing grapes and bulk wine.
GRAPES 101
Grape Berry Moth Management
A new forecasting model and the Grape Berry Moth Risk Assessment Protocol help growers manage grape berry moth.
IN THE NEWS
- NBC Newscast: New York's Fine Wines
Anna Katharine Mansfield, assistant professor of enology, and Chris Gerling, extension specialist, were in the NBC New York TV studios on March 9 to discuss the region's wine industry. - Wines and Vines: Sunlight Enhances Fungal Disease Control
Wayne Wilcox, professor of plant pathology and plant-microbe biology, and graduate student Craig Austin, describe their findings on the effect of sunlight and UV radiation on powdery mildew in the March issue of Wines and Vines. - NY Cork Report: Cornell Guides Growers in Search of the Right Land for the Right Grape
A new online tool developed by Horticulture Professor Alan Lakso and extension specialist Tim Martinson maps potential vineyard sites. - Vine Talk: Ranking Rieslings from the Finger Lakes
Episode 2 of this series, to air on PBS in May, features a discussion and tasting of Riesling from six Finger Lakes producers.
BRIEFS
- Funding Restored for IPM Program, Other Ag Programs
The New York State budget, adopted in late March, includes funds for agricultural programs. - Finger Lakes Grape Growers' Convention Looks Ahead to Vintage 2011
Held March 4-5, this annual winter meeting featured research updates on viticulture, IPM, varieties and clones, business management, and a trade show. - Mechanization, Succession and Farm Safety are Themes at Lake Erie Grape Grower Conference
The 2011 conference, held March 17 at Fredonia State University, attracted more than 200 growers. - Winemakers Gather for 40th Annual Wine Industry Workshop
Program addressed the issues involved in producing and understanding age-worthy wines.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Cornell University Viticulture and Enology Experience (CUVEE) July 17-21
CUVEE, sponsored by the Cornell School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, pairs CALS Viticulture and Enology Program faculty with leading winery owners, vineyard managers, grape growers, winemakers, and others for a week-long learning experience.
RESEARCH IN PLAIN ENGLISH
- Impact of Shoot Thinning and Harvest Date on Yield Components, Fruit Composition, and Wine Quality of Marechal Foch (pdf)
In this 2007-2008 study, delayed harvest influenced Marechal Foch wine characteristics more than did shoot thinning.
AWARDS and HONORS
- Greg Loeb Receives Research Award from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation
Cornell Entomologist Loeb was cited for work advancing insect pest management in grapes at the Annual Unity Banquet April 13. - Three Industry Awards Presented at Lake Erie Grape Conference
Industry members Carl Villardo, Jr, Robert Mazza, and Trenholm Jordan were honored.