Vitis vinifera ‘Corinth’
Probably the grape called Black Corinth by George Lindley. ‘Bunches short and rather small. Berries small, roundish, about the size of a pea, with a few much larger ones intermixed, generally without stones, and much clustered on the bunches. Skin thin, of a deep black colour. Juice sugary, but without perfume.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.190/1831].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘The fruit of this is brought to the extent of 6000 tons annually from the Ionian Islands, and sold in the shops under the name of Currants. The Prince Cornato sent twenty plants of this grape from Zante, in 1817 to Sir Herbert Taylor, for the Queen; it had, however, been cultivated by Langley above a century ago.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.190/1831].
‘It is from the Black Corinth that the “currants” of the grocers are produced, and “currant” is merely a corruption of Corinth. It is extensively grown in Zante and Cephalonia, and the fruit when gathered is simply dried on the ground in the sun, and this accounts for the presence of small stones and earth found in grocers' currants, necessitating their being washed before they are used.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.373/1884].
‘A corruption of Corinth, the Greek port from which most of these are shipped, the berries resemble currants in size. The home of the Black Currant is the Grecian Islands, as well as Morea, especially around Patras, Zante, Cephalonia and Ithaca, all produce currants of the highest quality.’ [Despeissis p.249/1903].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues as ‘Corinth’ (currant grape) [Vines for Table Only no.12/1843].
Notes
Published Jun 23, 2010 - 03:29 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 12:37 PM
| Family | Vitaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, probably Greece |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Grape, Table Grape, Currant Grape |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Corinth (currant grape) |
| Confidence level | high |