Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
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LEXPERT MAGAZINE | MARCH 2017 69 TRAVEL Answering the call of the slopes From the American West to Japan, these resorts are calling to you era started in the United States, but the hardy native North American vines became immune to it. e French, who had a terrible problem with powdery mildew, decided to import this labrusca variety to combat the problem. But a shipment of Isabella vines had the phylloxera aphids in the roots, and once they were planted the aphids began to feast on the unpro- tected vineyards of France. e blight began in the Rhône Valley and worked its way north, laying waste the grapevines throughout Europe for the next 40 years. French farmers watched their vineyards die as the leaves of their vines turned yellow. ey tried every remedy to combat the plague, including burying live frogs under the vines and pouring boiling water on the roots. Eventually a cure was found and it was not unlike the vaccination of the vine: the growers imported the phylloxera-resistant North American rootstock and graed onto it their Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvi- gnons, Pinot Noirs and Syrahs. Today, virtually all of Europe's grape vines are planted on North American rootstock. I say "virtu- ally all" because there are some parcels of vines grown in sandy soil in which the phylloxera louse cannot survive. ere are parts of southern Spain (Jumilla) and Portugal (Colares) with particularly sandy soils that escaped the scourge. e most famous pre-phylloxera vineyard in the world, perhaps, is Bollingers Vieilles Vignes Françaises, whose champagne vines are still on their original rootstock. When Bollinger's vineyard workers want to create a new vine they merely bury a "cane," or arm of the vine, in earth, and when it starts to sprout they cut if off from the mother vine; this is a practice like- wise used in Chile, which is also phylloxera-free. It has been estimated that the cost of phylloxera to France's economy in the four decades from 1858 or so was two and half times the cost of the Franco- Prussian War (which was five billion francs). Phylloxera, the cancer of the vine, is ever present. A genetically mutated form appeared in California in the 1980s and attacked the ARx1 rootstocks that had been recommended by the Department of Agri- culture and the premier wine university, University of California, Davis. is particular rootstock was previously thought to be immune from the disease. It cost the wineries millions of dollars, as they had to grub out the infected vines and replant on newly de- veloped rootstocks. So next time you visit the vineyards of Europe, lis- ten closely to the vines. Since one in four of them is planted on rootstock raised in Friuli Venezia Giulia, you might hear them speaking in Friulian. THAT SOUND YOU hear as you sit at your desk counting the days until the weekend? at's the sound of the ski slopes calling your name — and there's no time like the present to try a new venue. ese three destinations offer lots to do on and off the mountains, and a reason to answer when winter fun calls. > WHERE: Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, Dubois, Wyoming e Draw: is winter hideaway (pictured above) is set in the Rocky Mountains and surround- ed by nearly two million acres of snow. e Stay: You know you're in a secluded spot when the final five miles to your door require a dog sled, snowmobile or track vehicle. Rustic cabins and five-star service combine for a fantastic expe- rience. e Perks: When you're not skiing, try snowmobiling, ice fishing or snowshoeing, or sign up for a wildlife excursion. And don't miss the chance to spend time in the spacious on-site Rocky Mountain Spa. www.brookslake.com > WHERE: Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, Montana e Draw: Nordic skiing and celebrity-spotting. Voted as one of USA Today's top 10 best Nor- dic skiing destinations, it's the perfect alternative for those looking to try a new resort. e Stay: e historic, 101-year-old ranch offers a choice of cabins or private home rentals depending on the size of your group. e gorgeous log cabins and excellent service mean you'll quickly see why it earned a National Geographic "Unique Lodges of the World" designation. e Perks: Prefer a downhill experience? You're 10 minutes from Big Sky Resort. You're also close to Yellowstone National Park. www.lonemountainranch.com > WHERE: Niseko Village, Hokkaido, Japan e Draw: Some of the world's best skiing on champagne powder snow, and a taste of authentic Japanese cul- ture. e Stay: A selection of townhouses and a brand new Ritz-Carlton Re- serve (the first in Japan) offer a wide choice of luxury accommodation options. e Perks: Hokkaido is close to destinations that offer guests a glimpse into the traditional Japanese culture. Pop over to the port city of Otaru for sake dis- tilleries and antiques, or to Nikka's Yoichi Distillery for a sip of their rare malt whisky. http://ytlhotels.com | DETOURS | Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer and travel writer based in Toronto. Reach her via www.globetrottingmama.com Tony Aspler is the author of 17 books on wine, including his latest, Canadian Wineries. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BROOKS LAKE LODGE & SPA