GMO Grapes

Published July 06, 2009 @ 04:07AM PT

French grapes; by david.nikonvscanon The SO and I were talking just last night about what a complete and utter sh*t fit would probably rip through France if genetically modified grapes were ever introduced. Also, Italy.

Not that it's unreasonable. They have centuries worth of branding to protect. Costa Rica has the same attitude towards coffee, of which there are two varieties; Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta.

C. arabica produces a less bitter, high quality bean, and it needs high elevation. C. robusta can grow in lowland areas, but the quality is considered very poor. Costa Rican law prohibits growing C. robusta anywhere at all, on account of wanting to maintain their reputation and secure the best possible price on glutted international markets for their prized coffee crop.

So anyway, I'm looking through the news today and, wouldn't you know it, someone's gone and made genetically modified grapes. I have a hard time believing that they'll be allowed in countries that are so very proud of their heritage vineyards.

(Photo credit: by david.nikonvscanon on Flickr.)

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Comments (3)

Attempts to stop or suspend progress are doom to fail in the long run. In the past only a handful of countries could produce wine. Now, decent and very good wine is produced anywhere in the world provide it does suffer extreme heat or cold.

Posted by Koshem Bos on 07/06/2009 @ 10:59AM PT
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This isn't progress, it's one market undermining another. Wine is not supposed to come from everywhere and anywhere. Each location should produce what is natural to it. That's the basis of trade. Good years/ bad years - that's the basis of supply and pricing.

Grapes, wine grapes in particular, thrive with some adversity. this adds to the quality of the wine.

Posted by Harold Lewis on 07/06/2009 @ 12:58PM PT
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That sounds great. I much prefer proteins to chemical pesticides.

Posted by Mary M on 07/07/2009 @ 10:22AM PT
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Natasha is an amateur eater with severe snarkolepsy and a c. 2002 blogging habit. She had a fabulous time studying ecological agriculture and policy at The Evergreen State College, and even did her homework while writing at various times for pacificviews.org, boomantribune.com, and mydd.com.