GMO yeast and grapes a controversial subject.

[akueck]

Hmm, I've heard of that yeast before but didn't realize it was GM. Go labeling!!! Go full disclosure!!!

Honestly though that's no so bad of a modification. Take two things (albiet different) that both live in wine and smoosh them together. Doesn't make me too squeemish. Seems silly, but not radical or dangerous.

And Angus--yes, it is worth it to grab 10% more of the market. If you were Gallo et al., producing umpteen-billion barrels of moldy grape juice for mass-consumption, wouldn't that be worth it? Do you think they care what the international wine industry thinks of them? Do you think they care what we think of them? No, I think they just see the ability to cut out half the innoculations they need to do, get the same product (within their QC range) faster, and therefore get bigger margins. And they can sell it to all the Red Wine Headache crowd! Gold in a bottle! A marketer's dream!

 

[JayH]

If you want to try something ummm “interesting” when I was in China a couple of years ago I picked up a small bottle of “Baby fur seal penis wine” Don’t ask I don’t really want to know what is in it. ???

Cheers
Jay

 

[ucflumberjack]

Im not sure that i have an opinion here really given my lack of experience drinking or making wine but i do have one thing to say:
this movement in the industry is yet another example of something that is very simple yet terribly overlooked and or misunderstood by alot of people. companies will always always always do what is more profitable, always. of course illegal actions are generally excluded but not always. that is their job, make more money. they didnt likely consider the ethical side unless that is somehow linked to profitability. effects on the qulity of the wine will only be considered when its linked to profitability, and i think we all know that advertising and perceived quality are more important that real quality when profitability is considered.

ok ok im taking some accounting classes right now and i couldnt help but ramble on.....

 

[Angus]

And Angus--yes, it is worth it to grab 10% more of the market. If you were Gallo et al., producing umpteen-billion barrels of moldy grape juice for mass-consumption, wouldn't that be worth it? Do you think they care what the international wine industry thinks of them? Do you think they care what we think of them? No, I think they just see the ability to cut out half the innoculations they need to do, get the same product (within their QC range) faster, and therefore get bigger margins. And they can sell it to all the Red Wine Headache crowd! Gold in a bottle! A marketer's dream!

Good points. 10% growth in any industry would be an appealing goal, unless it results in losing more due to the use of a GMO. Do I think they care what the international market thinks of them? I think they do, and this is why they will work hard to either sell the new yeast as natural and safe, or will stop using it alltogether. Think of New Coke as an example of a huge company backpedaling fast when the consumer stopped buying their product. We will see.

Angus

 

[UDV]

I know it's an older topic, but has there been anyupdates on this issue?

I'm suprised that american wines don't have have a warning label disclosing anything about their GMO yeast status, and I will definately be staying awy from anything that has ML01 in it. Then again...it's not like wine warning labels are particularly helpful. Especially all the 'drink this and you will die' crap that is blazened on everything.