Isabella

in defense of the “Fox” of wine

Isabella (Isabella) – mysterious and bright American hybrid variety, the result of a spontaneous crossing cultural view of vinifera Vitis Vitis vinifera (which includes all the major wine varieties of the world) with unidentified member of the species Vitis labrusca лабрускаVitis (wild grapes).

Synonyms varieties: Isabelle, Izabella, Fragola (Italy), Albany Surprise (New Zealand), Seksarda, Bangalore Blue (India)

The exact origin of the cultivar Isabella is still not clear, but it is believed that it originated in a natural way (cross-pollination under natural conditions), when in North America brought European cultivated vine (Vitis of vinifera).

The name Izabella has been given to the grade in 1816, when he was discovered at the Dorchester (North Carolina) Brooklyn gardener William price. He named the discovery after the wife of his friend, the famous southern Belle Isabella Gibbs.

In the future this grape had a good root winemakers in the state of new York, as raw material for still and sparkling wines, as well as spread in the quality of table grapes (which is eaten). However, tastes changed, and a sort of Isabella began to uproot to make room for a more popular variety, the Concord.

Unlike many of the American hybrids, Isabella tolerates heat well and is able to grow in difficult hot conditions. Besides, this variety, unlike pure cultural, resistant to many pests (in particular to demonic phylloxera that destroyed almost all the European vines in the second half of the 19th century), so does not require heavy use of pesticides, and high yield allows you to vary the output of wine per hectare without the active application of fertilizers.

Isabella eventually landed in India, Bali, Japan. And in Brazil, it is the main variety.

In Turkey from the juice of grapes Isabella make the traditional dish of local cuisine – pekmez (steamed or boiled fruit juice with no added sugar).

In New Zealand Isabella known as Albany Surprise – “Surprise of Albany” (Albany is the capital of new York state) and is quite popular among winemakers and farmers.

Grade Isabella officially banned for commercial use in the EU, but continues to grown by many private households in Italy and Portugal and also in Ukraine (and other former USSR countries). In Europe this variety is quite popular in the production of homemade wine and as a table.

Wine varieties Isabella has a light structure (the so-called “body”) and bright berry flavors with a pronounced strawberry tone, and in Italy it is even called Fragola (i.e. literally, strawberry) and some time used in the production of sparkling wine Fragolino, until he was banned.

Grapes of the species Vitis labrusca, including Isabella, have fun feature – their flesh is “slipping” from the peel while squeezing, and his mouth seems to be elastic.

A bright berry bouquet – a distinctive feature of all varieties of the species Vitis labrusca. But in addition undoubtedly attractive bouquet, these wines had a unique flavor that winemakers call “Fox” because of the similarity with the smell of wet Fox fur, and grapes of the species Vitis labrusca was nicknamed fox grape (i.e. “Fox grape”).

This circumstance, probably, led to the expulsion of Isabella grapes from the ranks of the commercially-used, and not the high content of methanol in this fault, as often write many publications. For example, in brandy, the methanol content is higher than in high-quality wine Isabella and this is still significantly below the hazardous limit (if not turn off pints for the evening, sorry). Therefore, the “methanol” harm the wine varieties, the Isabella is a myth. And the damage from the insatiable consumption – ineradicable reality of not guilty grapes.

As for the “Fox” smell, then it is probably a feature and a matter of taste, not a Vice. History and the present world of winemaking know more than questionable taste, which became hits… In the end, in a world where there is a place Beaujolais Nouveau, contempt for the blame Isabella is just hypocritical.

In Austria, southern Burgenland, from varieties of the species Vitis labrusca (Isabella , Concord, Delaware, Elvira and Ripatella) produced a unique wine Uhudler, possessing all the charms of flavor and aroma, which are shy producers of fine wines – “high wine” from the noble varieties. To export this wine is impossible, but selling within Burgenland can.

In fairness, it should be noted that the morning experience evening Isabella is highly sensitive to the quantity of this nectar. But the Italian sparkling wine from the Lambrusco varieties are also quite insidious in this respect that does not make him an outcast. So the question as always at the forefront, and the rest is prejudice.

Please note that the Italian variety is Lambrusco (Lambrusco) is still a cultivar of the species Vitis vinifera, despite the consonance with the species Vitis labrusca, from which the American varieties Isabella. Do not confuse them.

Author:
Ilya Nastenko
Using data portal WineSearcher