Vitis vinifera ‘Fine White Grape No. 22’
Unidentified but described by William Macarthur: ‘No. 22 – White Grape (56/2, or No.56 of the 2nd or Luxembourg, collection [of Busby], misnamed Chasselas Violet in the catalogue). A remarkably sweet, juicy, thin skinned, delicately flavoured grape, to my taste, the best table grape in the colony, not in the least resembling the family of Chasselas in its habit, moderately productive, but uncertain, the flowers being apt to become abortive. Fruit very liable to burst and rot, if heavy rain falls near the period of maturity, makes delicately flavoured summer wine.’ [Maro p.25/1844].
Horticultural & Botanical History
No additional data.
History at Camden Park
Listed in all printed catalogues as ‘White grape (fine)’ [Vines for Table and for Wine no.18/1843]. ‘56-2’ is written next to the name in the 1843 and 1845 catalogues. This number, and all similar, is the reference number of the grape in Busby’s collections, in the 1840s held at the Sydney Botanic Garden. This number specifically refers to grape no. 52 of Busby’s second, or Luxembourg collection. See the description above for William Macarthur’s comments on this grape.
In an advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald of Saturday 21st of June, 1845 offering vine cuttings for sale, ‘Tokay’ was listed, although with a question mark after the name, and with the reference number 56-2. It was priced at 15 shillings per 1000. This indicates that Macarthur believed that Busby’s ‘56/2’ could be the Tokay grape. Today this is generally associated with a sweet white wine from Hungary of this name, although none of the wines traditionally used in its production bear the name ‘Tokay’. Perhaps more likely in the context of Macarthur’s query is the use of the name Tokay in the Alsace region of France for wines made primarily with the Pinot Gris grape, typically as Tokay d'Alsace. [Wikipedia and other internet sources].
Notes
Published Jun 23, 2010 - 04:51 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 12:29 PM
| Family | Vitaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, unknown |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Grape, Table Grape, Wine Grape |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
White grape (fine) |
| Confidence level | low |
