Vitis vinifera ‘Fine White Grape No. 23’

An unidentified variety, but described by William Macarthur: ‘No.23 – White Grape (295/3, or 295 of the Montpelier collection [of Busby]). An excellent grape for wine of medium strength, bearing considerable affinity to the preceding [Fine White Grape No.22], but much more productive; it bears large beautifully formed bunches, the berries moderately closely set, not liable to burst and rot, excepting under long continued rains. It has the peculiarity of being from 10 to 14 days behind almost every other variety in bursting into leaf, of being late before the fruit commences to swell to maturity, and yet of ripening as early as the greatest part of the varieties in this division [mid-season ripening]. Next to No. 19 [Raisin Vert], it is considered to be the best white grape to cultivate where produce combined with medium strength is an object, and it may even prove to be superior to it. Both this and the last [Fine White Grape No.22] are excellent table grapes.’ [Maro p.26/1844]