In a continuation of the work, Dr Meredith has been looking at other varieties.

ECONOMIST: Secrets of the Cabernet

To track down the origins of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mr Bowers and Dr Meredith examined 24 microsatellite sites.

ECONOMIST: Secrets of the Cabernet

In case you might think that Dr Meredith's sole concern is demolishing inflated reputations, the genetic fingerprinting of grapes in this way has some practical applications, too.

ECONOMIST: Genetics

Dr Meredith first came to fame four years ago, when she showed that cabernet sauvignon, widely reckoned the noblest grape of them all, was a hybrid of cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc.

ECONOMIST: Genetics

This means that Dr Meredith's method can reach back into the distant past, and catch a glimpse of the act of cross-fertilisation between two different varieties of grapevine that created the strain that the cuttings have perpetuated.

ECONOMIST: Genetics

Dr. Meredith Collins is a mom, sister, wife, friend, teacher, critic, Starbucks junkie, writer, coach, and a million other things.

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