Stink bugs are hard on grapes, but they apparently don't affect the flavor of wine.
University of Maryland researcher Joe Fiola is presenting his findings Tuesday at an annual meeting of eastern U.S. winemakers in Towson.
Fiola says as few as five stinkbugs in 25 pounds of grapes can affect the smell and taste of the juice. But he says there is no discernible taint in the resulting wine, even when the number of bugs is doubled.
Fiola says he's planning further tests to learn whether the chemical compound that causes the stench is present in the wine.
He's reporting his findings as Mid-Atlantic vintners and other farmers brace for an expected stink-bug assault in the next two months.