clone; cloning [KLOHN]
In vineyard parlance, a clone is a plant that has been propagated asexually, usually by cuttings or by grafting. cloning is done to reproduce plants with the distinctive traits of its parent vine, such as high productivity, disease resistance, and/or better adaptability to environmental conditions. Within a given variety, Pinot Noir for example, there are a large number of clones (subvarieties) that differ from each other in aroma, flavor, ripening ability, yield, and/or vine health. For instance, in Germany they use Frühburgunder for an early ripening version of Pinot Noir and Spätburgunder for a late ripening form. See also clonal selection; cross; hybrid.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.