phyLLoxera or phyLoxera?

You often see it both ways, but the spelling with two "l"s--"phylloxera"-- seems to be the correct one. UC Davis should be an authoritative souce; see

Phylloxera is the correct spelling, coming from the Greek roots phyllo- (leaf) and -xera (dry). That same Greek root for leaf turns up in the English words chlorophyll (leaf green) and phyllo dough.

Mark Lipton

Is Phylloxera still a serious problem anywhere? I'm under the impression that at least in the USA the root stocks are fairly resistant. The current real problem is from the Glassy winged sharpshooter which spreads Pierce's disease.

There are efforts underway to plant vinifera grapes on their own rootstock, and those plantings will always be subject to phylloxera. For examples, see Breton's, Baudry's and Joguet's "Franc de Pied" bottlings from the Loire.

Mark Lipton

Not to diminish Pierce's disease, but Phylloxera has hit some fine US vineyards particularly hard in recent times. Someone with root-stock knowledge may correct me, but, as I understand, several of the UC Davis root-stocks, thought to be resistant to Phylloxera were, in fact not. There has been quite a bit of replanting lately, because of this. Please, someone chime in with the specs and particulars.

One vineyard that hit ME very hard, was the small plot of Sullivan's Chardonnay on Galeron Lane, Napa. Some great US Chard came from this tiny plot, and Phylloxera hit it hard. Unfortunately, when it was ripped out, other varietals were planted - maybe at the behest of the bankers, or investors. While that winery does a fair job sourcing their Chard, it has not come close, IMHO.

Unfortunately, even with the US root-stocks, it is still a big problem.

Hunt

Not several, but one that was recommended and largely planted: AxR 1.

In France this rootstock was judged not phylloxera resistant enought already in the 1930s (and was banned).

M.

For anyone interested in the story of Phylloxera I can recommend an excellent account by Christy Campbell.

The title is " Phylloxera - How Wine was Saved for the World "

ISBN 0-00-711536-9

A fascinating read - in fact, required reading for all wine lovers !

Peter

Yes, Michael, it was the AxR 1, that I was thinking about. Was there not a more recent UC Davis rootstock that had similar problems?

Thanks, Hunt

Sorry, no idea.

M.