New Cornell grape names harvested through naming challenge

Introducing ‘Arandell’ (formerly NY95.0301.01, left) and ‘Aromella’ (formerly NY76.0844.24, right).  The new names of the grapes were announced February 7 at the Viticulture 2013 conference.
Introducing ‘Arandell’ (formerly NY95.0301.01, left) and ‘Aromella’ (formerly NY76.0844.24, right). The new names of the grapes were announced February 7 at the Viticulture 2013 conference.

Cornell Chronicle article [2/7/2013] by Kate Frazer, agricultural stations communications officer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

After a novel naming challenge drew more than 1,000 suggestions from around the world, a Cornell University breeder has revealed the secret identities of two new wine grapes: ‘Arandell’ and ‘Aromella’.

Bruce Reisch, professor of horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, introduced the grapes at Viticulture 2013 in Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 7.

‘Arandell’—a mash-up of “arandano,” the Spanish word for blueberry, and the “ell” from Cornell—is the first grape released from The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station’s “no-spray” vineyard.

Reisch hopes its hint of blueberry will attract wine lovers, while its superior resistance to downy and powdery mildews will appeal to growers interested in more sustainable practices. Its name was suggested by Michael Fleischhauer, retired computer analyst and wine enthusiast from Juneau, Alaska.

‘Aromella’, an aromatic, muscat white wine grape, was named by Michael Borboa, a Californian winemaker and songwriter who used a lyric exercise he uses for writing songs. ‘Aromella’ ranks high for winter hardiness and productivity. Reisch says its release is timely given the growing popularity of muscat wines.

The project emerged almost accidently when Anna Katharine Mansfield, assistant professor of enology, suggested emailing colleagues to introduce two varieties ripe for naming. As news of their appeal spread through the proverbial grapevine, it attracted coverage from outlets including NPR’s Morning Edition and Bon Appétit online.

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