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SOMMWINE GRAPE LIBRARY
Baco Noir
Also known as Baco 1, Baco 24-23, Bacoi, Bago, Bako Speiskii, Bakon
Baco Noir was bred in France by François Baco, but it has become a recognizable red hybrid in Ontario and the Finger Lakes. UC Davis identifies its pedigree as Folle blanche crossed with Vitis riparia; it is not pure vinifera. Regional wine descriptions emphasize high acidity and, in Finger Lakes examples, medium body, firm tannin and rustic, earthy or smoky notes. Those are useful expectations to test, not guarantees for every bottle.
ColourRed
ClassificationInterspecific hybrid with Vitis vinifera and Vitis riparia ancestry; not pure Vitis vinifera.
Typical bodyFinger Lakes Wine Alliance describes medium body for its regional varietal context. Other bottlings vary.
Typical acidityFinger Lakes Wine Alliance describes regional Baco Noir wines as high in acidity; individual wine acidity varies.
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At a Glance
Dry red wines and blends are documented. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance identifies a historical role in red blends; Ontario’s wine authority lists Baco Noir among popular VQA table-wine grapes.
Typical tannin: Finger Lakes Wine Alliance describes firm tannins; extraction and wine style affect the level.
Aromas and Flavours
- Finger Lakes Wine Alliance gives a broad regional description of rustic, earthy and smoky; it does not present these as mandatory aromas in every bottling.
Where It Grows
- Ontario
- Finger Lakes
- France
- Canada
- United States
Climate and Winemaking
Ontario government guidance lists Baco noir among hybrid grapes considered more tolerant of cold than Vitis vinifera in Ontario winter conditions, while noting temperature and site risks. This does not mean the cultivar is disease-proof or immune to winter injury.
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance describes Baco Noir as mid-season ripening and cold hardy in its regional variety summary. Purdue Extension warns that Baco noir can be sensitive to soilborne ringspot-virus complex and recommends virus-resistant rootstocks in affected areas. These statements concern different risks and should not be collapsed into a blanket resistance claim.
Baco Noir is used for red varietal wines and blends. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance describes its historical blending role; Ontario Wine Appellation Authority lists it among popular VQA table-wine varieties. No specific extraction or oak regime is inherent to the grape.
Food Pairings
- Editorial suggestion: try a medium-bodied or firmer Baco Noir with grilled vegetables, roast poultry or grilled meat, selecting the dish to match the individual wine’s acidity and tannin. Pairing is advice, not a cultivar fact.
Ageing Potential
- No cultivar-wide ageing window asserted. Some oak-matured or concentrated bottlings may be made for further development, while other examples are released for earlier drinking.
Test Your Knowledge
- Why is Baco Noir classified as an interspecific hybrid, and what does the source leave unspecified about its parentage?
- How does the Ontario legal synonym “Baco” relate to the canonical variety name?
- Which aspects of an Ontario Baco Noir’s structure may result from winemaking choices rather than cultivar alone?
Related Grapes
Sources and Further Reading
- Baco noir — Foundation Plant Services profile
- VIVC passport: Baco Noir
- Rules of Vintners Quality Alliance Ontario relating to terms for VQA wine, O. Reg. 406/00
- Wine Categories and Labelling
- Baco Noir 101
- Cornell Guide to Growing Fruit
- Sprucewood Shores Baco Noir VQA
- Great Canadian Pairing Guide
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines specification, August 2026 Issue 2.1
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines qualification page
