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16 | OHCC LIVING | JULY 2021 | Phylloxera is the famous pest that destroyed vast areas of European vineyards in the 19th century, almost wiping out some of the world's greatest wine regions. Grape phylloxera is a tiny, pale yellow aphid like insect from the Phylloxeridae family. It was described in the 1860s crisis in France as Phylloxera vastratix (devastator of vines). The tiny louse munches its way through root after root, literally killing the plant above. The only vines which, in the long term, demonstrated apparent immunity to phylloxera are certain American species and vines grown in very dry and/or very sandy conditions. American vine species have evolved alongside the insect, and so have developed (varying) degrees of resistance. They exude a sticky sap that clogs the insects' mouth parts. It is understood that the insect was first brought to Europe on specimens of American vines collected by British and European botanists. Vineyards in Britain were devastated first. Then the problem spread to France and much of Europe. Italy and Spain's wine industries were hit from the 1870s, along with Portugal, Germany and Switzerland. Phylloxera was found in California in 1874 near the city of Sonoma. By 1900, 30,000 acres had been destroyed across the state. Phylloxera literally wiped out the entire wine world's industry and a long-term solution had to be found. Eventually, after all sorts of experimentation, it was found that phylloxera can be combated by grafting vinifera vines on the American rootstock, so that the part of the plant vulnerable to phylloxera became resistant to it. Today, about 85 percent of the world's wine- producing vines are European varieties grafted on root stock containing a high proportion of American genes in order to minimize the risk of phylloxera damage. Chile, for example, has never suffered phylloxera damage, isolated from the rest of the world by the Atacama Desert to the north, the Pacific to the west, and the Andes to the east. Other regions spared by phylloxera are the island of Cyprus, sandy seaside vineyards in Portugal and the French Camargue. South Australia is unaffected by phylloxera. There is still no cure for vines that have been attacked by phylloxera. Neither are there chemical or biological controls to prevent it taking hold. Currently, the best solution remains to rip out a vineyard and plant on more suitable rootstocks. The Wine Tasting Club has monthly tastings in members' homes. Dues are $12/ year. Wine Tasting Club

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