Overview:

Baco Noir is a hybrid grape variety created by French viticulturist François Baco in the late 19th century. It is a cross between Folle Blanche and an unknown variety of Vitis vinifera. Baco Noir is known for its hardiness and disease resistance, making it well-suited for cooler climates and regions with challenging growing conditions.

In the Vineyard:

Baco Noir is a vigorous variety, which requires regular canopy management to control growth and yields. It is a late-ripening grape, typically harvested in late September or early October. The grapes are small and compact, with a thick skin that gives the wine its dark colour. Baco Noir is winter hardy but can be susceptible to injury in extremely cold temperatures.

Wine Profile:

Baco Noir grapes produce wine with a deep ruby colour and a complex flavour profile. The grape is known for its fruity flavours such as blackberry, plum, and black cherry, with notes of spice and a hint of smokiness. The wine has moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Baco Noir is a versatile grape variety that can be used to produce red wines, rosé, and fortified wines.

At Traynor Family Vineyard:

At Traynor Family Vineyard, we source our Baco Noir grapes from Watson Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We use it to produce our Hot Rocket Pet-Nat and for the base wine for our Haberdasher Vermouth. We have found that Baco Noir is not as well-suited for growing in Prince Edward County as it is susceptible to winter injury and is difficult to get into balance and manage. However, it does very well in Niagara and is one of the workhorse varieties of that region.

Conclusion:

Baco Noir is a hybrid grape variety that offers winemakers a unique flavour profile and high disease resistance. It's well-suited to the cool climate of Niagara-on-the-Lake and can produce wines with a deep ruby colour and complex flavour profile. At Traynor Family Vineyard, we are proud to source our Baco Noir grapes from Watson Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where the variety thrives.