Origins of Interspecific Hybrid Winegrapes Eric T. Stafne Extension Horticulturist Oklahoma State University
The Grape Family: Vitaceae Has 11 genera, including Vitis Has 600 species Vitis is only food-bearing genus in family Vitis has two subgenera: Euvitis and Muscadinia
Important Species Vitis vinifera Originated in area near Caspian Sea Estimated 5000+ named cultivars Cultural range limited by climatic factors Requirements: long growing season, relatively high summer temps, low humidity, rain-free harvest, mild winter temps Usage: wine, juice, table, raisin, canning, or rootstock
Important Species Vitis labrusca (or V. labruscana) Fox grape Cultivars: Concord, Niagara, Isabella Large berries, small clusters, distinctive and strong flavor, fair pest resistance
Important Species Vitis riparia Riverbank grape Cultivars: Beta, Clinton, Baco Noir, Marechal Foch, C3309, 5BB, SO4 Small berries and clusters, wide variation in ripening and hardiness, vigorous, roots easily, fair to good pest resistance
Important Species Vitis aestivalis Summer grape Cultivars: Cynthiana ( Norton ), Lenoir, Herbemont Small to medium berries, medium to large, open clusters, high sugar and acid, fair pest resistance
Important Species Vitis rupestris Sand grape Cultivars: St. George,, AxR1 Small berries, small to medium clusters, wild taste, vigorous, roots easily, pest resistant
Important Species Vitis lincecumii Post oak grape Cultivars: Bailey, Beacon, Ellen Scott, Marguerite Medium to large berries, small to medium clusters, distinctive wild taste unlike that of V. labrusca,, fair pest resistance
Contributing Factors The devastating phylloxera outbreak began in France in 1860 In next 20 years about 90% of French vineyards were destroyed To combat this American cultivars were planted
American cultivars in France At one time over 25,000 acres of Noah were planted Clinton, Othello, Lenoir, Isabella,, and Herbemont were also planted Concord, Catawba,, and Delaware tried but had low resistance to phylloxera With this planting material also came downy mildew and black rot
Control of the American Pests In 1876, vinifera cultivars found to be graft compatible with American types In 1885, Bordeaux mixture discovered as a broad spectrum fungicide
French Hybrids Originally started as breeding for rootstocks Amateur grape breeders pushed it forward looking for vines with roots resistant to phylloxera,, foliage resistant to fungal diseases, and fruit that could produce wines more similar to vinifera types
First Stage of Breeding The oldest hybrids crosses of American cultivars or rootstocks with vinifera Examples: Baco noir, Baco blanc,, hybrids from Ganzin, Kuhlmann, Couderc,, and Seibel Hybrids used in crosses: Noah, Jaeger 70 Vinifera cultivars used in crosses: Folle Blanche, Aramon, Clairette, Cinsaut
Second Stage of Breeding Crosses between hybrids Include the hybrids of Seibel, Bertille Seyve, Joanes Seyve, Seyve Villard, Galibert,, and Landot
Third Stage of Breeding The modern hybrids Crosses of hybrids with vinifera of superior wine quality Dilution of resistance Many breeding programs now involved around the world In U.S.: NY, AR, CA, FL, MS, GA, NC, MO
High Quality Hybrids Chambourcin True parentage unknown High yielding Somewhat cold hardy Vigorous Disease-resistant France, Australia
High Quality Hybrids Chardonel Seyval Blanc x Chardonnay High productivity More cold hardy than Chardonnay Wine similar to Chardonnay
Chardonnay vs Chardonel
High Quality Hybrids Frontenac V. riparia x Landot 4511 Vigorous and productive Very cold hardy Very resistant to disease Limit time on skins Needs MF
High Quality Hybrids Marechal Foch (also called Foch) True parentage disputed (but includes V. riparia, V. rupestris,, and V. vinifera) A sib of Leon Millot Vigorous, early ripening Good winter hardiness Fruitful secondary buds
High Quality Hybrids Rubaiyat Seibel 5437 x Bailey Developed at OSU Medium vigor Medium cluster size Large berry size Disease resistant Cold hardy Use for color
High Quality Hybrids Traminette J.S. 23.416 x Gewurztraminer Similar wine character to Gewurztraminer Good disease resistance Decent winter hardiness Being grown in Nebraska Large clusters Good yields
High Quality Hybrids Vignoles (also called Ravat 51) Cold hardy Moderate vigor and productivity Compact clusters Susceptible to Botrytis Fruity, sweet wine
Hybrid, schmybrid The question is one of marketing, and nothing else. Most wineries make their money from the walk-in trade. And each and every walker-in is amenable to hand- selling.it doesn t t matter what name is on the label, so long as there is quality in the bottle. From The Grape Grower by Lon Rombough