The University of California at Davis has released five new grape varieties that it says are resistant to Pierce’s disease, a bacteria spread by insects. Pierce’s disease is a growing threat to grape growers, costing more than $100 million in losses a year.

The grape varieties are: camminare noir, paseante noir, errante noir, ambulo blanc and caminante blanc. Hardly household words in wine, right?

According to a press release from UC Davis, camminare noir is similar to a blend of cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah. Caminante blanc has characteristics of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Pasante noir is like zinfandel and errante noir is most like cabernet sauvignon.

Ambulo blanc, similar to sauvignon blanc, and caminante blanc, similar to sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, are white grape varieties.

The cuttings will be available in 2021. Because it takes a good six years for a decent crop, don’t expect to see these on the market soon. Even then, the grapes will probably be consigned to a blend.