Trees and Shrubs

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]

Vitis vinifera ‘German Small Black’

‘No. 9 – Small Black Grape. Probably of the Pineau family, also from Germany, bears little, but promising for wine. This and the preceding [Small Pink Grape] are small hardy plants and would probably succeed in cold elevated sites. I have never seem their produce made into wine. They should be planted at least as close as No.1 [Pineau Gris].’ [Maro p.23/1844].

Vitis vinifera ‘German Small Pink’

‘No. 8 – Small Pink Grape. I believe from Germany, very early ripe, bears little, but is probably good for wine.’ [Maro p.23/1844].

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].