Climbers
The ability to climb and scramble over the ground or other plants is the only characteristic shared by plants in this category.
Vitis vinifera ‘Sahibee’
The only description I have found is this from The Penny Magazine: ‘oblong, yellowish-green, fleshy, dry grape’. [The Penny Magazine p.151/1836]. The extended abstract given below suggests that this is a grape particularly suited to tropical climates.
Vitis vinifera ‘Sauvignon Blanc’
‘No. 31 - Sauvignon Blanc. White grape, of great reputation in the vineyards near Bordeaux, in which are made the wines of Barsac, Sauterne, &c. Hardy vigorous plant, fruit oval, rather deficient in juice; only commenced bearing in 1841, but appears to produce moderately well.’ [Maro p.28/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Sauvignon Cendré’
‘No. 20 - Sauvignon Cendre (355/3, or No. 355 of the Montpelier collection [of Busby]). White grape, bears occasionally immense crops, but is in this respect very variable, is probably a good wine grape. This and No. 18 [Raisin Vert] require rather more room than Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris] and 14 [Pineau blanc].’ [Maro p.25/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Shiraz’
‘Bunches, long, loose, and shouldered. Berries, large, oval. Skin, thick, reddish purple, covered with blue bloom. Flesh, rather firm and juicy. Juice, pale red, sugary, and with a delicious aroma. Ripens in a cool vinery, and is as early as the Royal Muscadine.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.406/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Terret’
Three grapes are known under the generic name ‘Terret’, ‘Noir’, ‘Gris’ and ‘Blanc’.
Vitis vinifera ‘Tinta’
‘No. 12 – Tinta. Imported by the Australian Agricultural Company, in 1825. Black, with deep red juice, sugary but very austere, not fit to be used alone, but may be very valuable to combine with other grapes for red wine, in the proportion of not exceeding one-fourth (with Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris, 3 [Dolcetto], 9 [Small Black Grape], and 13 [Black Grape], for instance). I have tasted very good wine, in the manufacture of which this grape was used to about the above extent. The bunches are tolerably large, berries small and crowded, produces moderately well. It is said to be cultivated extensively at Madeira, for the manufacture of Tinta Madeira, and to be one of the seven sorts which enter into the composition of the best white wines of the island. A very hardy plant, requiring same room as Nos. 1 and 2 [Pineau Gris and White Grape 57/1]. [Maro p.23/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Ulliade’
‘Bunches, medium sized, and with long stalks. Berries, large, oval, uniform in size, and dangling from long stalks. Skin, thin, of a dark purplish black colour, and covered with bloom. Flesh, firm and crackling, juicy, sweet, and of a rich vinous flavour. The vine is a very abundant bearer, and ripens its fruit in a cool vinery, but to have it in perfection it requires the same treatment as the Frontignans. It is a delicious grape.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.400/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Verdelho’
‘Berries oval, small, having numerous very small ones, without seeds, interspersed; of a greenish yellow, but of a slight amber-coloured russet when fully exposed to the sun. Skin thin, almost transparent. Juice rather acid in ripening, but when fully matured of a rich saccharine flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.211/1831].
Vitis vinifera ‘Verdot’
‘One of the “claret” grapes. Season, mid-season (3rd period). Merit, first class, although not so much perfumed as the Cabernet. Vine growth vigorous, spreading. Leaves medium-sized, longer than broad, when young covered with a characteristic silvery-white down; when full grown three or five-lobed, teeth uneven, sinus rather open and not very deep; upper surface smooth, uneven, of a paler green than Cabernet, underside downy. Fruit bunches small, shouldered. Berries round, small, dark purple, with several small green berries amongst the others; thick skin, large seeds.’ [Despeissis p.263/1903].
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 2’
‘No. 2 – White Grape (No. 57/1, or No. 57 of Mr. Busby’s private collection, misnamed in the catalogue Malbec, which is not there). Tolerably well provided with saccharine matter, but very sharp to the taste, very early ripe, bears rather better than the preceding [Pineau Gris], and at an earlier age. Though of rather more vigorous growth, may be planted at the same distance as No. 1. Planted upon stony soils, it may contribute, mixed with others, to produce a fine wine, but should never, I think, be used alone’. [Maro p.22/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 39’
This is grape no. 39 of Busby’s personal collection. I have no description at present.
Vitis vinifera ‘White Grape No 56’
This is grape no. 56 of Busby’s personal collection. I have no description at present.
Vitis vinifera ‘Xeres’
This is possibly the Spanish grape usually known as ‘Graciano’, a red wine grape used in both Spain and the Languedoc-Roussilon region of France, primarily for blending with other varieties. It is unclear why this wine grape should be included among Vines for Table Only in the Camden Park catalogues. More research needed.
Vitis vinifera L.
Climbing or scrambling deciduous shrub, leaves palmately-lobed, orbicular, the flowers insignificant, pale green, in dense panicles, followed by edible green to nearly black, globular or ovoid fruits. Individual stems to 35m. [RHSD, Hortus].
Vitis vulpina L. var. rubra
Vigorous, dioecious, deciduous, woody-based climber with ovate, coarsely-toothed, usually 3-lobed leaves, to 20cm across, and very fragrant flowers followed by purple-black fruits in female plants. ‘Rubra’ is a variety with red, bronze-tinged leaves in autumn. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers’].
