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COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Grape Varieties for

North-central New Mexico Revised by William “Gill” Giese and Kevin Lombard1

aces.nmsu.edu/pubs • Cooperative Extension Service • Guide H-309

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development in New | Dreamstime.com © Alika1712 INTRODUCTION Mexico, improving ( spp.) are the most widely grown perennial fruit crop in the world. They are grown in home gardens for fruit and landscape the lives of New purposes or commercially for , raisins, or fresh consumption as “table” grapes. A cultivated variety, or “cultivar,” is a formal term for Mexicans through variety. Variety is the more common term, and will be used in this publication. Selecting varieties that are adapted to prevailing academic, research, climatic and soil conditions is an important step before planting. Very few locations above 6,000 feet in elevation are successful grape pro- and Extension duction sites. Suitable growing conditions at lower elevations are still very site-specific due to the major threat to grape culture: winter or programs. frost injury. Winter injury occurs at subfreezing temperatures during vine dormancy when no green tissue is present. Frost injury occurs at subfreezing temperatures when green tissue is present. A variety’s win- ter hardiness, or ability to withstand cold temperatures, depends on its genetic makeup or “type.” In addition to winter hardiness, other considerations when selecting a variety are its fruit characteristics, number of frost-free days required for ripening, disease susceptibility, yield potential, growth habit, and other cultural requirements. Soil considerations include soil pH, salin- ity, and other soil quality factors as determined by a soil test. For more New Mexico State University 1 aces.nmsu.edu Respectively, Extension Specialist, Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas/Department of Extension Plant Sciences; and Superintendent, Agricultural Science Center at Farmington/Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University. information on soil testing, see NMSU Extension American Hybrids Circular 676, Interpreting Soil Tests: Unlock the Se- These hybrids were developed in the eastern United crets of Your Soil (https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/ States, mainly in the early and mid-19th century. _circulars/CR676.pdf). The major component parents of American hybrids This publication describes four types of grapes are most commonly the American species V. labrus- grown in New Mexico: European, American, ca and V. aestivalis, along with V. vinifera. Concord, American hybrid, and French hybrid. a major variety of this type, is responsible for about 80% of V. labrusca production. Other important varieties include , , Delaware, and TYPES OF GRAPES . American hybrids are used to some extent for wine production and for table grapes, but most European Grapes are used for unfermented grape juice and jelly. European grapes, specifically the speciesVitis vi- nifera L. (“the wine bearer”), require long, warm, French Hybrids dry summers and moderate winter temperatures. Bred in in the late 19th and early 20th They are excellent for wine or table use. Today, centuries, these hybrids are typically produced by V. vinifera varieties are grown worldwide and crossing American vine species with a European make up the majority of commercial wine and V. vinifera variety. Hybrid types are intermediate table grape production. The appearance of V. in winter hardiness between American and Euro- vinifera dates back between 130 to 200 mil- pean species. Unlike most vinifera varieties, many lion years ago. Human relationship to the plant of these hybrids have highly fruitful secondary dates from the Neolithic period (9,000 B.C.E. buds that provide a harvestable crop in the event to 3,000 B.C.E.). is the oldest Euro- of late spring frost that kills the primary buds. The pean variety of V. vinifera, dating back to about primary aim of these hybrids was to combine the 3,000 B.C.E. from the modern-day Republic of tolerance and disease resistance of the and Armenia in Eastern /Western American species with the accepted wine quality Asia near the Caspian Sea. Popular V. vinifera of the European species, V. vinifera. Phylloxera is wine varieties include , Cabernet a small aphid-like insect that feeds on grapevine Sauvignon, , , , roots and will eventually kill infested vines. This , and . Although some root louse occurs throughout the Americas, is very limited plantings of V. vinifera exist in northern common in the eastern U.S., and has spread world- New Mexico at unique sites with climatic advan- wide. It is a serious pest of V. vinifera grapevines tage, most suitable sites for V. vinifera are located and nearly wiped out the European wine industry in southern New Mexico. Refer to Lombard et in the late 1800s. French hybrids were planted in al. (2013) for more information. throughout the world in the 1960s and continue to make significant contributions to the American Grapes wine industries of the and Canada. About half the world’s grapevine species are However, grafting is a preferred and more disease- native to America and occur from Canada to resistant alternative to hybrids because the qualities Mexico, and the Caribbean. American grape- of the V. vinifera grape are preserved in the scion vines are more cold-hardy and disease-resistant (fruiting portion of the vine) while phylloxera toler- than V. vinifera, and are used primarily for grape ance is imparted by the rootstock. juice and associated products—jelly, jam, and preserves. Having evolved in the acidic soils of the eastern U.S., V. labrusca and other American VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS species may show chlorosis (leaf yellowing) due American and French hybrids appear better adapt- to iron deficiency when grown in alkaline soils ed to northern New Mexico’s climate than Euro- typical of New Mexico. American species provide pean or American species (Lombard et al., 2013). the genetic basis for many rootstocks on which The following are descriptions of some American V. vinifera vines are grafted. and French hybrid varieties that have performed

Guide H-309 • Page 2 © Minyun Zhou | Dreamstime.com © Minyun acceptably in north-central New Mexico. A lim- seedless grapes grown in and has been ited number of European V. vinifera varieties that successfully grown in the Albuquerque area. Him- have performed satisfactorily for a limited number rod resulted from a cross of Ontario with Thomp- of north-central New Mexico growers are also de- son Seedless made in 1928, a successful cross that scribed, but are suggested for planting on a trial resulted in the eventual release of four “sister” va- basis only. rieties, the others being Interlaken, Romulus, and Lakemont. All were named for towns in the Finger American Hybrids Lakes region, near Geneva, NY, and may also be Golden (white): A beautiful golden grape good choices for New Mexico. that ripens late. The clusters are large and compact /Cynthiana (red): A grape cultivar with large berries that are juicy and excellent in believed to be largely derived from V. aestivalis. quality when season and site are favorable. If picked Norton was first cultivated in Richmond, VA, and too early the fruit can be high in acid. Can be used is grown in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states; as a table grape or for juice and jelly. it has recently been successfully grown in the Himrod (seedless white): Released in 1952 by middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. It is the the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in “state grape” of Missouri and considered to be the Geneva, NY. It is seedless and ripens early with cornerstone of the industry. Most sweet flavor. Clusters are large but rather loose with experts suspect that it is a hybrid of one or more berries that are medium in size and oval in shape. native U.S. varieties and one V. vinifera variety. The pedicels that attach the berries to the cluster Norton’s self-fertile habit indicates a degree of V. are brittle and berries will “shatter” or drop off eas- vinifera in its background, and hints of V. labrusca ily with handling or prolonged storage. Himrod is as well. However, the variety is overwhelmingly V. currently the most commercially important of the aestivalis. Norton/Cynthiana is notoriously slow-

Guide H-309 • Page 3 growing in the first 1–3 years following planting. can be finished completely dry or with minimal Yields can be quite low due to its small berry and residual sugar, and is amenable to either unoaked cluster size, as well as low juice yield per ton of or full with barrel aging. fruit. It has excellent winter hardiness, down to This versatile variety retains substantial acid lev- -11°F, but is subject to frost damage due to early els at ripening and shows potential for sparkling bud break. The fruit has very darkly pigmented wine production when harvested relatively early color and good tannic structure. However, the at 16–18° Brix. It is susceptible to phylloxera and juice of Norton/Cynthiana can have a high pH should be grafted. and titratable acidity at the same time. This attri- (red): Also known as Joannes bute can be problematic to winemakers. Seyve 26-205, Chambourcin’s parentage is uncer- Reliance (seedless red): A relatively early ripen- tain. The hybrid was produced by Joannes Seyve, ing table grape from the University of Arkansas who often used Seibel hybrids produced in the that produces large clusters of round, pink to red, 1860s. Chambourcin has been available since 1963. medium-sized berries. The berries are sweet with The vine can lack vigor at some locations and ben- melting flesh and labrusca-like flavor. This variety efits from regular petiole testing to adjust additions has a high degree of cold hardiness. of nitrogen fertilizer. Grafting is also suggested in Seneca (white): A white table and wine grape. order to increase uniformity and vigor. The grape An American-European hybrid with clusters that produces a deep-colored wine with a full aromatic are small to medium in size and rather loose. Skin flavor, and no unpleasant hybrid flavors. It can be is tender with sweet and aromatic flavor. made into a dry wine or one with a moderate re- Suffolk Red Seedless (red): An early, red, seed- sidual sugar level, giving it a pleasant but not over- less grape with large berries and long, loose clusters. bearing sweetness. Chambourcin blend well It is a quality grape that can be used for desserts, with vinifera varieties such as pies, and jelly. and can be made into or port-style wines. Chambourcin has gained in popularity in French Hybrids central New Mexico in recent years. (red): A winter-hardy hybrid produced (red): The parentage of this grape from a cross of V. vinifera var. , a is Landot 4511 and V. riparia. This 1996 release grape, and an unknown variety of V. from the University of Minnesota is very cold-har- riparia (indigenous American species). Current Eu- dy and is planted in New England, Quebec, and ropean Union regulations restrict the use of hybrid the and Midwestern U.S., with limited plantings varieties, including Baco Noir. In 1951, the variety in New Mexico. This variety is highly resistant to was introduced into relatively cool viticultural re- . As a general rule, aroma and flavor gions of the United States: New York, , characteristics in Frontenac are dominated by a , , and . It has an bold cherry note with hints of black current and established track record of successful in general red fruit. northern New Mexico. An extremely vigorous and Leon Millot (red): This grape was produced disease-resistant variety with long clusters of small from the same cross as (Mgt. 101- black berries, it produces an early, moderate crop. 14 × Goldriesling), but with some important dif- Baco Noir produces a medium-bodied, deeply tint- ferences. This vine produces an excellent ed, fruit-forward, acidic red wine with black fruit with a distinct berry aroma, and the vine is more and caramel aroma. Ageing potential is 5–8 years vigorous with smaller berries and clusters. Leon on average for good examples of this wine. Millot is less cold-hardy and is damaged by temper- (white): This grape is a cross be- atures below about -15°F, but ripens a week before tween Seyval and Chardonnay and was named by Foch and can produce in cool climates where Foch Cornell University in 1990, after successful per- does not mature well. Leon Millot’s very early ma- formance in Michigan and Arkansas. The vine is turity enables it to obtain ample sugar content with moderately vigorous and disease-resistant. Large, balanced acid content for in areas with fairly loose clusters and large individual berries short growing seasons. contribute to this variety’s high yield potential. It

Guide H-309 • Page 4 (red): This hybrid is a cross between its very late bud break that is helpful in avoiding NY33277 and , which was crossed again spring frost. This late-ripening variety is popular in with Steuben and released in 2006 by Dr. Bruce Canada and the northern part of the United States, Reisch of Cornell University. Vines are generally where it produces late , or “ice wines,” rath- vigorous and productive in the of er than table wines. The variety is also successfully New York, though older vines occasionally show grown in New Mexico. It should be cluster thinned a slow decline in vigor that may be indicative of a since it tends to over crop. will respond need for grafting. to the timely addition of nitrogen and should be (red): A grape variety created in 1967 at grafted to avoid nematode feeding. the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding by (white): This grape, also known as Ra- Professor Gerhardt Alleweldt. It is a cross between vat 51, produces an excellent . Created Diana, which is a × Muller Thurgau cross, by J.F. Ravat, this variety is a cross between Seibel and the interspecific hybrid Chambourcin. Regent 8665 and Pinot de Corton. It is very popular in has a wide resistance to most fungal diseases that the northeastern and Midwest regions of the U.S. hinder grape production globally. Due to this broad This fruit can naturally develop high sugar content disease resistance, it is especially popular among while the acidity level also remains high. It is sus- winegrowers in Germany. ceptible to Botrytis bunch rot due to its very tight Siegfriedrebe (white): A cross between Oberlin cluster architecture. 595 S.P. and Riesling. Oberlin 595 (Oberlin Noir) is a cross between Gammay and Riparia that gives European Wine Grapes (V. vinifera) this variety 75% vinifera heritage. Siegfriedrebe, or Gewürztraminer (white): The name literally Siegfried, which is a synonym, and F.S 4-201-3 are means “spice or perfumed Traminer.” Because of currently grown in Germany and British Columbia, its distinctive smell and taste it is often used as an Canada. Although similar to Riesling, it is not as early wine to teach people how to recognize dif- desirable. It has performed satisfactorily in north- ferent through taste. The main aroma ern New Mexico. from Gewürztraminer is one of fresh lychee fruit. (white): This Gewürztraminer This scent is very noticeable and pleasant to most hybrid is a cross of Joannes Seyve 23.416 and people. Today, most Gewürztraminers come from Gewürztraminer. Traminette wines have been de- the Alsace region of France. These wines are a study scribed as distinctively floral, spicy, perfumed, and in contrasts, with an extremely sweet bouquet but fragrant, much like its Gewürztraminer parent. a surprisingly dry taste. Gewürztraminer has met Initially intended as a table grape, the original cross with limited success in some New Mexico vine- was made in 1965 at the University of Illinois by yards. New Mexico’s lack of fungal disease pressure H.C. Barrett. Cornell University released the vari- can be used to advantage when growing this rot- ety in 1996. Vines have greater winter hardiness (to prone variety. -17°F; Wolf et al., 1999) than its parent Gewürz- Pinot Noir (red): This is one of the world’s traminer because the buds are resilient to cold greatest red wine varieties. The name is derived from weather; however, the trunks occasionally sustain the French words for “pine” and “black,” alluding winter injury. Grafting is recommended because to the varietal’s tightly clustered, dark purple, pine the vine is around 50% V. vinifera. cone-shaped bunches of fruit. The origins of this va- (white): Valvin Muscat is a cross riety are unclear. This breed is known as an ancient between and a hybrid, Muscat du variety and is only one or two generations removed Moulin. Valvin Muscat has very distinct Muscat from wild vines. However, Pinot wines are among grape characteristics. Grape breeder Dr. Bruce the most popular in the world. It is considered to Reisch from Cornell University officially named be one of the most difficult to grow. It is most often and released this variety in 2006. produced for in New Mexico and Vidal Blanc (white): This varietal was cre- harvested early with high acidity. ated from Ugni Blanc and Seibel in the 1930s (red): A close relative of Pinot by French breeder Jean Louis Vidal. This variety Noir, it is a variety that has a late bud break and does extremely well in cold climates, partly due to a shorter growing season requirement than Pinot

Guide H-309 • Page 5 Noir. The variety is more winter-hardy relative to Lombard, K., B. Maier, F.J. Thomas, M. O’Neill, S. Pinot Noir. With Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pi- Allen, and R. Heyduck. 2013. Wine grape cultivar not Meunier is one of the traditional performance in the Four Corners Region of New varieties. Plantings in New Mexico of this variety Mexico in 2010–12. HortTechnology, 23, 699–709. are very promising, with little plant loss during Reisch, B.I., D.V. Peterson, R.M. Pool, and M.H. Mar- tens. 1993. Table grape varieties for cool climates the winter. [Bulletin 234]. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Cooperative Ex- Riesling (white): This noble white grape va- tension. riety originated in the Rhine region of Germany, Reisch, B.I., R.M. Pool, D.V. Peterson, M.H. Martens, and is claimed to have originated from wild vines and T. Henick-Kling. 2000. Wine and juice grape of the Rhine region. More recently, DNA finger- varieties for cool climates [Adaptation of Informa- printing by Ferdinand Regner indicated that one tion Bulletin 233] Ithaca, NY: Cornell Cooperative parent of Riesling is Gouais Blanc, which was Extension. brought to Burgundy from Croatia by the Ro- Robinson, J. 1986. Vines, grapes and wine. New York: mans. The other parent is a cross between a wild Alfred A. Knopf. vine and Traminer. Riesling is being successfully Wolf, T.K., I.E. Dami, B.W. Zoecklein, and M.K. War- ren. 1999. Commercial grape varieties for grown in locations north of Santa Fe and near [Publication 463-019]. Blacksburg: Virginia Coop- Grants, NM. It is relatively cold-hardy, although erative Extension. yields can be light due to small berry and cluster size and susceptibility to bud necrosis. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, al- GENERAL INFORMATION most perfumed aromas as well as high acidity. It is Foundation Plant Materials Service used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling University of white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally One Shields Ave. pure and are seldom oaked. Davis, CA 95616-8600

http://fps.ucdavis.edu FURTHER READING Bettiga, L.J., L.P. Christensen, N.K. Dokoozlian, D.A. For other NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Golino, G. McGourty, R.J. Smith, P.S. Verdegaal, publications on grape production, visit https://aces. M.A. Walker, J.A. Wolpert, and E. Weber. 2003. Wine grape varieties in California. Okaland: Univer- nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/#fruit. sity of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Services. Dami, I., D. Scurlock, G. Johns, and M. Brown. n.d. Original authors: Frank B. Matta, Assistant Professor; Wine grape variety recommendations for Ohio [On- Esteban Herrera, Extension Horticulturist; and Darrell line]. Columbus: The Ohio State University. https:// Sullivan, Professor. ohiograpeweb.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/sites/ grapeweb/files/imce/pdf_factsheets/ Variety%20Recommendation%20for%20Ohio.pdf Gill Giese is the Extension Viticulture Special- Carroll, D.E., E.B. Poling, and R.G. Goldy. 1991. ist and Assistant Professor at NMSU. He earned Wine-grape reference for [Bulletin his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, and has worked as a 480]. Raleigh: North Carolina State University Agri- commercial winemaker and viticulture/enology instructor. His applied research and Extension cultural Research Service. work focuses on variety/rootstock evaluation, Flynn, R. 2015. Interpreting soil tests: Unlock the se- mitigation of frost/cold damage, soil issues, crets of your soil [Circular 676; online]. Las Cruces: insects and nematodes, and trellising options to New Mexico State University Cooperative Exten- optimize grape yield and berry composition in sion Service. https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/ New Mexico and the arid Southwest. CR676.pdf

Guide H-309 • Page 6 Guide H-309 • Page 7 Contents of publications may be freely reproduced, with an appropriate citation, for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. For permission to use publications for other purposes, contact [email protected] or the authors listed on the publication. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Revised February 2019 Las Cruces, NM Guide H-309 • Page 8