Wine Culture Magazine
Wine Culture Magazine
Regent is a fungus-resistant hybrid variety that shows great promise. Photo courtesy of piwi-international.org
PIWI is the name adopted and trademarked by an international working group for the promotion of fungus-resistant grape varieties founded in Switzerland in 1999; the name is an abbreviation of the German phrase “Pilzwiderstandsfähige Traubensorten,” which means fungal-resistant vines.
PIWI vines are hybrids/crosses of Vitis species, specifically European, American and Asian grape varieties, and are already widespread in Europe; they are cultivated in the vineyard and not genetically engineered.
They are designed to produce vines with resistance properties, especially the fungal diseases powdery mildew and downy mildew, as well as bacterial diseases.
PIWIs’ robust resistance results in a significant reduction in pesticide use, and the concomitant use of labour and tractor fuel. (The use of pesticides per hectare per year in viticulture is higher that the use of all other agricultural products.)
Most importantly, PIWI experts claim they taste excellent, often indistinguishable from classic grapes.
Creating a successful new variety with merit is a long-term prospect: From roughly 30,000 original seeds, perhaps one new variety will emerge about 20 years down the road.
This diagram shows PIWI grape varieties entered in the 2024 PIWI International Wine Challenge where 200 wines representing 40 different PIWI grapes were judged. Diagram courtesy of piwi-international
The most common PIWI varieties include cabernet blanc, solaris, souvignier gris, muscaris, satin noir and regent. The newest varieties developed include muscat bleu, villaris, felicia, sauvignac, reberger, baron and cabernet blanc.
Regent is extensively planted in Germany, with 1,671 hectares; PIWIs comprise 3.5 per cent of all German vineyards and 10 per cent of all new plantings. Meanwhile, according to the 2022 B.C. Wine Grape Acreage Report, B.C. currently has 0.6 acres of seyval blanc planted and 0.4 of regent.
For more information, visit piwi-international.org.
Sip like a star when you check out these three celebrity-owned wine labels.
Q&A Wines
The players: B.C.’s own media personality Terry David Mulligan (above right), North Van-born actor-director Jason Priestley (centre) and winemaker Michael Mosny, the behind-the-scenes star who is also the proprietor of Winemaker’s CUT. The wine: Two select offerings from South Okanagan grapes—a Bordeaux-style red blend and a Rhône-style white.
Ayesha Curry (left) and Sydel Curry-Lee.
Photo courtesy of Domaine Curry
Domaine Curry
The players: Ayesha Curry and Sydel Curry-Lee, wife and sister (respectively) of NBA megastar Stephan Curry. The wine: Their collab with a Napa winery called Coupe de Foudre, which was sold to Prisoner Wine Co., produces a Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend, both finessed yet muscular.
Maison No. 9
The players: Hip-hop star Post Malone and his pals Dre London (who is also his manager) and James Morrissey (a mega drinks brand marketer). The wine: A rosé made from Méditerranée IGP grapes. Named for Malone’s favourite tarot card to help us conjure up Mediterranean vibes.
DJ Kearney is a Vancouver-based wine educator, consultant, speaker, judge and global wine expert. Creator of the New District Wine Club, she is also Terminal City Club’s Director of Wine and Vice-President of CAPS-BC, responsible for the Best Sommelier of BC competition.
DJ Kearney is a Vancouver-based wine educator, consultant, speaker, judge and global wine expert. Creator of the New District Wine Club, she is also Terminal City Club’s Director of Wine and Vice-President of CAPS-BC, responsible for the Best Sommelier of BC competition.
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