Plants in the Hortus

Vitis vinifera ‘Gouais’

White grape. ‘Vine a strong grower, bunches of medium size, conical, compact, berries over medium size, round, very juicy, without special flavour, ripen late, skin thin, a heavy bearer, long or short pruning; gives a clean wine, without much character, but fermenting easily; suitable for blending or for distillation.’ [Despeissis p.263/1903].

Vitis vinifera ‘Grenache’

Red grape. ‘No. 34 - Grenaches (2/1, or No. 2 of the private collection [of Busby]). Black grape, not so productive as the former [Carignan], but equally uncertain, ripens equally late.

The foregoing three [Carignan, Grenache and Mataro], with sometimes the addition of No. 36 [Mourastell], are described by Mr. Busby, in his journal, and by French authors, as the sorts used in making the wine of Roussillon; the whole being usually planted together. Some of the wine made from them, on decomposing schistus, is said to have been kept more than 150 years, and to have continued to improve to the last.’ [Maro p.29/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘Klieb-roed’

I have been unable to identify this grape and have no description as yet. It may be a red grape as Asmanhausen is famous for a red wine of that name.

Vitis vinifera ‘Lombardy’

‘Bunches, very large, shouldered, closely set, and handsome; sometimes weighing from six to seven pounds. Berries, large and round, inclining to oval. Skin, pale red or flame-coloured. Flesh, firm, sweet, and well-flavoured, but only second-rate. This requires a high temperature to ripen it. The vine is a very strong grower, and requires a great deal of room, but it is a good bearer. The only recommendation to this variety is the great size of the bunches and beauty of the fruit.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.394/1884].

Vitis vinifera ‘Malbec’

‘No. 28 – Malbec. Black grape, from the Médoc. (This, and the following three sorts [Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdot and Suavignon Blanc], were sent to the colony from one of the best vineyards near Bordeaux, by Mr. Barton, of the house of Barton and Guestier, under the care of Monsr. D. N. Joubert, of the firm of Joubert and Murphy, and they promise to become great acquisitions.) Bunches small, berries rather large , thinly set, a very sweet, richly flavoured grape; said to be used to impart richness to the claret wines.’ [Maro p.27/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘Mataró’

‘No. 35 - Mataro (3/l, or No. 3 of the private collection [of Busby]). Black grape, produces much more abundantly, and with more certainty, than the preceding grapes [Carignan and Grenache], not so sweet, but ripens earlier.

The foregoing three [Carignan, Grenache and Mataro], with sometimes the addition of No. 36 [Mourastell], are described by Mr. Busby, in his journal, and by French authors, as the sorts used in making the wine of Roussillon; the whole being usually planted together. Some of the wine made from them, on decomposing schistus, is said to have been kept more than 150 years, and to have continued to improve to the last.’ [Maro p.29/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘Meslier Blanc’

‘No. 13 – Meslier Blanc (302/3 or No. 302 of the third or Montpelier collection). More diminutive in every respect than the preceding [Pineau Blanc], bears very little, but of excellent quality; should not exceed three feet by two feet in a vineyard.’ [Maro p.24/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘Morrastel’

‘No. 36 - Mourastel. Black grape, much resembling the last, but although sweeter, scarcely so productive

The foregoing three [Carignan, Grenache and Mataro], with sometimes the addition of No. 36 [Mourastell], are described by Mr. Busby, in his journal, and by French authors, as the sorts used in making the wine of Roussillon; the whole being usually planted together. Some of the wine made from them, on decomposing schistus, is said to have been kept more than 150 years, and to have continued to improve to the last.’ [Maro p.29/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains’

I have found no contemporary description of this grape. Hogg gives ‘Moscatel Menudo’ as a synonym of ‘Red Frontignan’. See ‘Muscat Rouge’.

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat Blanc’

‘Bunches rather long, without shoulders. Berries middle-sized, rather closely set, of a muddy white, or greenish yellow, and covered with a thin, white, powdery bloom. Flesh delicate. Juice sugary, very rich, with a highly musky flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.212/1831].

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat Gris’

‘Bunches middle-sized, with small narrow shoulders. Berries round, larger than those of the White Frontignan, and growing closer upon the bunches: they are of a pale brown colour, intermixed with red and yellow. The Juice is very rich, and possesses a high musky flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.201/1831].

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat Noir’

‘Bunches small and short. Berries small, round, and grow close upon the bunches. Skin black, when fully exposed, and covered with a blue or violet bloom. Flesh tender; the juice of a rich vinous musky flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.191/1831].

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat of Alexandria’

‘Bunches large, and well shouldered. Berries large, oval, and when well ripened of a fine pale amber colour, and where exposed to the sun tinged with a deep amber russet: the large ones are generally without stones. Skin rather thick, and the flesh firm and hard. Juice not plentiful, but of a sweet, highly musky, and most delicious flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.215/1831].

Vitis vinifera ‘Muscat Rouge’

‘Bunches larger than those of the Black Frontignan, and without shoulders. Berries larger also, perfectly round, and of a dark red colour. Flesh delicate and tender. Juice plentiful, of a most rich, musky, vinous flavour. [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.204/1831].

Vitis vinifera ‘Pedro Ximenes’

‘Bunches, long, conical or somewhat cylindrical; shouldered. Stalk, long, slender, and brittle. Berries, oblong. Skin, thin, rather transparent; pale yellow or amber. Flesh, rather firm and fleshy, very sweet, and richly flavoured.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.401/1884].