grafting
A viticultural (see viticulture) technique whereby budwood (a bud-bearing shoot) is secured to the rootstock. This technique is critical in most vineyards because the rootstock of Vitis vinifera vines (Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, for example) aren’t resistant to phylloxera, whereas most native american rootstocks are. phylloxera has attacked vineyards all over Europe and the United States, and there are few places that haven’t been infested (Chile is one). In order to produce the popular varietal wines, it’s necessary to graft the Vitis vinifera vines to the phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Some believe that grapes from ungrafted vineyards produce the best wines. Most grafting is done in a nursery and is called bench grafting. When it’s done in the vineyard, it’s called field grafting. See also T-budding.
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.