Advise on what to plant.

[astrologica]

I just read a great article on Marquette and if we decide to do hybrids, that may be one of the grapes we plant.
Here's my dilema. I live in Northern Virginia (Frederick County) and it's considered zone 6B. I love Petit Syrah but don't think it will survive our harsher winters. I prefer to avoid hybrids (for now). What red grape gives the best tannins for wine making that can survive 6B. Is there anything that comes close to Petit Syrah for this area?

Apologies if I'm asking a redundant question. It just occured to me to ask the forum since I'm always going to the forum for winemaking advise. Maybe someone can help.

Thanks,
Donnah

 

[grapeman]

Petite Sirah is for zone 7a and warmer, so you may be too cool for it. It also has some disease issues so you would need a good spray program.

Marquette would likely do fine there and give you a very nice wine.

Other choices for hybrids would be Corot Noir http://www.doubleavineyards.com/p-677-corot-noir-ny70080910.aspx and Noiret http://www.doubleavineyards.com/p-745-noiret-ny73013617.aspx which will give you similar characteristics as the Petite Sirah. Both of those would be hardy enough for you and they both have similar flavors, etc. Corot Noir has a bit looser cluster so less disease pressure to the bunches in a wet year. Neither of them will get as high of sugar though as the Petite Sirah http://www.doubleavineyards.com/p-762-petite-sirah-grafted.aspx.

 

[bellmtbbq]

I say go for it. I'm also located in 6B, but central NJ, and I'm growing up some Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel from cuttings. Planting them on a real southern exposure should help! My thinking is how the winters keep getting more mild, we might be more like zone 7! A vineyard literally one road across has started to produce some Cab off their own vines and I hear it's pretty good.

Should be fun, we'll see.

Love to see updates to this and compare notes on 6B vinifera vineyards!