Baco noir
Encyclopedia
Baco noir is a hybrid red wine
grape
variety produced from a cross of Vitis vinifera
var. Folle Blanche
, a French
wine grape, and an unknown variety of Vitis riparia
indigenous to North America. Baco noir produces a medium body, deeply tinted, acidic red wine which is fruit forward and often carries aromas of black fruits and caramel. Ageing potential is 5–8 years for good examples of this wine.
The grape tends to be vigorous and is fairly resistant to the common ills of grapes in the eastern U.S., including black rot
, powdery mildew
, and downy mildew
. It grows well on 6 foot cordons, with vertical shoot positioning. The vines can carry up to 3 clusters per shoot without overcropping. The vine tolerates highly acid soil (pH 4.9) and is not susceptible to phylloxera
. The vine is not particularly attractive to Japanese beetle
s. In droughty years, the vine is balanced. In wet years, there is no coulure
; however, the vines produce more vine than needed and may need to be hedged many times. The vine is not recommended for planting in good soil.
, but by European Union
regulation, the commercial use of hybrid grape varieties is restricted. In 1951 the variety was brought to the cooler viticulture regions of the United States, such as New York
, Michigan
, Mississippi
, Wisconsin
, Pennsylvania
and Oregon
. In New York there are an estimated 240 hectares (593.1 acre) of Baco noir currently grown. In 1955 the variety was brought to Canada, where the "George" clonal variety is commonly used. Within Canada, Baco Noir is far more commonly grown in Ontario
than in British Columbia.
Oregon
's first Baco Noir vines were imported by Philippe Girardet in 1971 for his winery located in the Umpqua Valley
. The warmer climate of the Umpqua Valley
gives the Baco grape a fuller body and richer flavor than is typically found in the cooler climates of New York
or Canada
. The popularity of Baco Noir within the state has been notably increasing in the Umpqua Valley
and beginning to branch out to the Willamette Valley
and Rogue Valley
in more recent years. Today, the most recognized Oregon Baco still belongs to the Girardet Winery who produces both a regular bottling and a "Baco Noir Reserve" made from the original Baco vines first planted in 1971.
Baco noir was the target of a vine-pull program
in Canada in the early 1980s, which means that there are few older plots of this varietal left in Canada. Despite this, Baco Noir (single varietal or in blends) remains a commonly produced wine in many Canadian wineries; notable current examples include Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
's, Lakeview Cellars' "Baco Noir Reserve" and products of Sandbanks Estate Winery in Prince Edward County
. Baco Noir wine from Ontario typically has aromas of sour plums and peppercorns and a tart, refreshing flavour. Baco Noir is naturally low in tannin and tends to benefit from some oak aging.
In warmer climates, as in the Atlantic Piedmont, Baco noir produces wines with leather and berry flavors if the fruit is allowed to hang until just before the berries start to shell. The acid is not overbearing. Baco noir has the potential in the hands of a skilled winemaker of producing a fine port
. This variety has much lower tannins than are common to a Cabernet or Merlot.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
variety produced from a cross of Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran....
var. Folle Blanche
Folle Blanche
Folle Blanche was the traditional grape variety of the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France. It is also known as Picpoule as well as Gros Plant and Enrageat Blanc...
, a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
wine grape, and an unknown variety of Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia Michx, also commonly known as River Bank Grape or Frost Grape, is a native American climbing or trailing vine, widely distributed from Quebec to Texas, and Montana to New England. It is long-lived and capable of reaching into the upper canopy of the tallest trees...
indigenous to North America. Baco noir produces a medium body, deeply tinted, acidic red wine which is fruit forward and often carries aromas of black fruits and caramel. Ageing potential is 5–8 years for good examples of this wine.
The grape tends to be vigorous and is fairly resistant to the common ills of grapes in the eastern U.S., including black rot
Black rot
Black rot is a name used for various diseases of cultivated plants caused by fungi or bacteria, producing dark brown discoloration and decay in the leaves of fruit and vegetables:...
, powdery mildew
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew diseases are caused by many different species of fungi in the order Erysiphales. It is one of the easier diseases to spot, as its symptoms are quite distinctive. Infected plants display white powdery spots on the...
, and downy mildew
Downy mildew
Downy mildew refers to any of several types of oomycete microbes that are obligate parasites of plants. Downy mildews exclusively belong to Peronosporaceae. In commercial agriculture, they are a particular problem for growers of crucifers, grapes and vegetables that grow on vines...
. It grows well on 6 foot cordons, with vertical shoot positioning. The vines can carry up to 3 clusters per shoot without overcropping. The vine tolerates highly acid soil (pH 4.9) and is not susceptible to phylloxera
Phylloxera
Grape phylloxera ; originally described in France as Phylloxera vastatrix; equated to the previously described Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Phylloxera vitifoliae; commonly just called phylloxera is a pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America...
. The vine is not particularly attractive to Japanese beetle
Japanese beetle
The beetle species Popillia japonica is commonly known as the Japanese beetle. It is about long and wide, with iridescent copper-colored elytra and green thorax and head...
s. In droughty years, the vine is balanced. In wet years, there is no coulure
Coulure
Coulure is a potential viticultural hazard that is the result of metabolic reactions to weather conditions that causes a failure of grapes to develop after flowering. In English the word shatter is sometimes used. Coulure is triggered by periods of cold, cloudy, rainy weather or very high...
; however, the vines produce more vine than needed and may need to be hedged many times. The vine is not recommended for planting in good soil.
Regions
At one time Baco noir was commonly grown in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but by European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
regulation, the commercial use of hybrid grape varieties is restricted. In 1951 the variety was brought to the cooler viticulture regions of the United States, such as New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. In New York there are an estimated 240 hectares (593.1 acre) of Baco noir currently grown. In 1955 the variety was brought to Canada, where the "George" clonal variety is commonly used. Within Canada, Baco Noir is far more commonly grown in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
than in British Columbia.
Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
's first Baco Noir vines were imported by Philippe Girardet in 1971 for his winery located in the Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley may refer to:* The valley of the Umpqua River in the U.S. state of Oregon* Umpqua Valley AVA, an American Viticultural Area in Oregon...
. The warmer climate of the Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley may refer to:* The valley of the Umpqua River in the U.S. state of Oregon* Umpqua Valley AVA, an American Viticultural Area in Oregon...
gives the Baco grape a fuller body and richer flavor than is typically found in the cooler climates of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
or Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The popularity of Baco Noir within the state has been notably increasing in the Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley may refer to:* The valley of the Umpqua River in the U.S. state of Oregon* Umpqua Valley AVA, an American Viticultural Area in Oregon...
and beginning to branch out to the Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
and Rogue Valley
Rogue Valley
The Rogue Valley is a farming and timber-producing region in southwestern Oregon in the United States. Located along the middle Rogue River and its tributaries in Josephine and Jackson counties, the valley forms the cultural and economic heart of Southern Oregon near the California border. The...
in more recent years. Today, the most recognized Oregon Baco still belongs to the Girardet Winery who produces both a regular bottling and a "Baco Noir Reserve" made from the original Baco vines first planted in 1971.
Baco noir was the target of a vine-pull program
Vine pull schemes
Vine pull schemes are programs whereby grape growers receive a financial incentive to pull up their grape vines, a process known as arrachage in French. A large program of the kind was initiated by the European Union in 1988 to reduce the wine lake glut from overproduction and declining demand...
in Canada in the early 1980s, which means that there are few older plots of this varietal left in Canada. Despite this, Baco Noir (single varietal or in blends) remains a commonly produced wine in many Canadian wineries; notable current examples include Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Henry of Pelham Winery
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery is an Ontario winery that released their first vintage in 1988. The namesake of the winery, Henry of Pelham was an early settler in Upper Canada’s Niagara Peninsula...
's, Lakeview Cellars' "Baco Noir Reserve" and products of Sandbanks Estate Winery in Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County Wine
Prince Edward County Wine is produced in Prince Edward County located in south eastern part of southern Ontario, the most southerly part of Canada. Prince Edward County was designated as the fourth and newest Designated Viticultural Area in Ontario in 2007...
. Baco Noir wine from Ontario typically has aromas of sour plums and peppercorns and a tart, refreshing flavour. Baco Noir is naturally low in tannin and tends to benefit from some oak aging.
In warmer climates, as in the Atlantic Piedmont, Baco noir produces wines with leather and berry flavors if the fruit is allowed to hang until just before the berries start to shell. The acid is not overbearing. Baco noir has the potential in the hands of a skilled winemaker of producing a fine port
Port wine
Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties...
. This variety has much lower tannins than are common to a Cabernet or Merlot.