Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus
By Kori ~ November 23rd, 2010.
This week’s Wine Word of the Week is leafroll virus.
Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine:
Leafroll virus is a virus disease that is widespread in all countries where grapes are grown. The disease is now thought to be due to a complex of different viruses which can be differentiated. Of all the virus diseases of vines, it can have the most serious effects on wine quality. These dramatic effects are not understood by the many appreciative tourists in wine regions who marvel at the attractive autumnal colours of vineyards. Few realize that these colours often indicate the presence of a serious disease, although other factors may contribute to autumnal colours. Leafroll virus causes yield to be reduced by as much as 50 per cent. Wine quality is also affected because of delayed ripening. Thus wines from infected vines are lower in alcohol, colour, flavour, and body. The disease does not kill vines, so they are infrequently removed. Yet removal is the only known treatment to overcome the effects of the virus.
Layman’s terms from Kori:
Leafroll virus can be responsible for the lovely gold and red vine leaves in the vineyard in autumn. This color display, coupled with a downward rolling of the leaf blade, is an indication of delayed crop ripening and reduced yields.
Filed under: Wine Word of the Week
Grape Leafroll virus can be a significant problem in Washington state and WSU is doing significant research in this area. http://wine.wsu.edu/research-extension/files/2010/07/virus-ext-bull.pdf
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
Steve,
Thanks so much for sharing the link. Very interesting!
Awesome! Now I am one word wiser regarding wines. In order to create excellent wines, we really should first tend ever carefully to the grapes to prevent them from obtaining diseases.
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
Jacy,
Glad you found it helpful. Cheers!
I think Jancis may minimize the problem of leaf roll virus, or she hasn’t heard the potential problem here in WA State. The first thing we learned in Viticulture Science is that while leaf roll virus may be “pretty,” it can shorten the life of a vine and it can spread, just like a virus in a human – – and sometimes even spread by a human.
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
[…] Wine Word of the Week: Leafroll virus was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps – Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond. […]
Catie,
Great points. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Cheers!
This is very nice article. It word of the week is so good. It contains so much information. Thank you for sharing this article.
…………..
Nic