Dr Darrell Lizamore on Breeding New Clones of Sauvignon Blanc

This show was published Friday, July 24, 2026

Overview

Dr Darrell Lizamore of the Bragato Research Institute explains how New Zealand scientists are breeding new clones of Sauvignon Blanc, aiming for disease resistance, frost tolerance and better flavour without losing the grape's true identity.

Darrell started this work during a PhD at Lincoln University and now leads a national programme tackling a real problem for New Zealand wine. Sauvignon Blanc is 85 percent of the country's sales, so the industry needs new diversity within that variety, not from outside it.

Chris and Darrell get into the lab process, growing stem-like cells from grapevine tissue and stressing them to trigger mutations. One great story is how the team tried yeast extracts to trigger changes, only to find the microorganisms took over the cells, forcing a rethink of the method.

They also cover frost resistance, ripening in a warming climate, and whether a cisgenic plant could still legally be called Sauvignon Blanc.

Host: Chris Scott
Guest: Dr Darrell Lizamore

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The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.