CultivarSA

Muscat d'Alexandrie

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:04:39 +0000

Muscat d'Alexandrie Varietal Profile

MUSCAT D'ALEXANDRIE

Cultivar Summary

Muscat d'Alexandrie is a multi-purpose cultivar suitable for table grapes, dried grapes, and natural wine. It is known for its distinct Muscat flavour profile in wines.

Key Production Metrics (South Africa)

5178 ha

Planted Area

(5.97% of total)

6-9 kg

Per Vine Yield

444 g

Avg. Bunch Mass

Late Ripening

11-20 March

Available Plant Material

Wine Grape Clones (Round Berry)

HP 135

Origin: KWV/Cillie
Production: Above-average
Berry: Round
Wine: Muscat

HP 297

Origin: VSA (USA)
Production: Above-average
Berry: Round
Wine: Muscat

HP 1170

Origin: KWV/Hugo
Production: Above-average
Berry: Round
Wine: Muscat

Dual-Purpose Clones (Long Berry)

HP 1

Origin: NIWW/Middelrus
Production: Average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

HP 4

Origin: NIWW/Middelrus
Production: Average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

HP 28

Origin: Kapel
Production: Above-average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

HP 326

Origin: KWV/Middelrus
Production: Above-average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

HP 982

Origin: KWV/Both
Production: Average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

HP 983

Origin: KWV/Both
Production: Average
Berry: Long
Wine: Muscat

Paulsen 1103

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:53:00 +0000

Pinotage

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:59:00 +0000

Vititec Sauvignon blanc clones

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 07:13:00 +0000

Grachen

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:52:00 +0000

SA Vitis Varietal list July 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:35:00 +0000

Exciting New ENTAV-INRA Clones Enhance South Africa’s Wine Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:33:00 +0000

Since concluding an import contract with ENTAV in 2006, Vititec has made significant strides in enriching South Africa’s viticulture landscape, importing 33 new cultivars and 90 new clones from France. The latest batch, received from plant quarantine in July 2025, introduces a selection of high-performing and disease-resistant clones poised to elevate local wine production.

Voltis

Latest Imports:

The July 2025 imports include a range of cultivars and clones tailored to meet diverse production and quality needs:

• Chardonnay 132: High-yielding, ideal for sparkling wine production.

• Chardonnay 1067: Moderate yield with exceptional wine quality.

• Chenin Blanc 416: High yielding, producing wines true to the cultivar’s character.

• Sauvignon Blanc 107 & 160: Both high yielding, delivering wines representative of the cultivar.

• Voltis 1266: A disease-resistant cultivar, offering resilience against fungal diseases.

• 101-14 Mgt 759: A promising addition for rootstock purposes.

The imports of Chardonnay 132, Chenin Blanc 416, and Sauvignon Blanc 107 and 160 aim to release high-production clones into the market, boosting yields for local growers. Meanwhile, Chardonnay 1067 and Voltis 1266 are re-imports of selections that previously did not survive quarantine.

Expanding the Vineyard: Mother and Foundation Blocks

Of the ENTAV imports, 73 new clones have already been planted in Mother or Foundation blocks, ensuring the availability of certified, high-quality planting material for South African producers. The 20 most widely planted ENTAV clones in these blocks are detailed in the accompanying table

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:59:00 +0000

Sauvignon gris

Origin - France

This cultivar is a grey mutation of Sauvignon blanc

Imported from ENTAV, France in 2013.

First grafted in 2016 in Stellenbosch.

Plantings in 2024:

Foundation Blocks – 419

Mother Blocks - 2021

Description

The description matches that of Sauvignon blanc, except the skin color of ripe berries, which in this case, is usually grey or sometimes pink.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: 3 days after Sauvignon blanc

Time of maturity: early mid season, same as Sauvignon blanc.

Production

Sauvignon gris is less productive than Sauvignon blanc.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

The susceptibility of this cultivar is very similar to Sauvignon blanc.

Clone

GX 917 – average production, wine are full bodied and aromatic

Type of wine/Flavours

Sauvignon Gris typically has a more subdued aromatic profile compared to Sauvignon Blanc. It features notes of white peach, elderflower, nectarine, and lavender, with succulent passionfruit and quince flavors in the mid-palate.

Texture: Wines made from Sauvignon Gris often exhibit a silky texture with a slight waxiness, contributing to a richer mouthfeel. This varietal has high sugar content and good acidity, creating a balance between sweetness and freshness. The overall flavor is rounder and less aggressive compared to Sauvignon Blanc

Chenel

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 07:55:00 +0000

Origin and cultivation background

South African-bred white wine grape cross by Prof. Offer, with Chenin blanc and Trebbiano as combination parents, released in 1974. Trials over the years have shown that Chenel is very resistant to berry cracking and rainy weather, and that it is virtually immune to botrytis and sour rot, even under the worst conditions. It has produced excellent results using intensive cultivation methods, for example irrigation and high trellising, with high yields and balanced wines that in some cases have a floral bouquet on fermentation. Although Chenel initially enjoyed active interest, particularly in irrigated regions, it has never been planted on a large scale. It is currently cultivated in all the regions, with the exception of Malmesbury. The largest concentration is found in the Robertson area, followed by Worcester.

Cultivation characteristics

Vigorous, medium-dense and well adapted to various climatic regions. Because of its resistance to rot and strong vigor, it is usually cultivated on fertile, low-lying soils under irrigation in warmer regions. Under these conditions, in conjunction with high trellising, yields of 23 to 27 ton/ha are produced when spur pruned. Fairly resistant to odium and downy mildew, and virtually immune to botrytis and sour rot. Usually produces neutral table wines with good balance.

Chenel has good compatibility with commercial rootstocks.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Yield potential

16-20 tons per ha

Average sugar concentration

20-22°B

Average acid concentration

6-8 g/l

Clone characteristics

Only one clone, CH 35 is available. CH 35 exhibits high vigor with above-average yields.

No specific cultivar characteristics - typically have a neutral flavor.

MORPHOLOGY

Shoot tips

Felty, white.

Leaves

Medium-sized, round, weakly three-lobed, dull green, blistered, webby underneath.

The petiole sinus is narrowly V-shaped, lateral sinuses very shallow. The teeth are slightly convex and pointed. The veins and petioles are green.

Bunches

Medium and fairly long, cylindrical, slightly shouldered, well filled but not compact.

Wing bunches are often well-developed.

The peduncle is of medium length.

Berries

Medium-sized, short oval. Thin, tough skin.

The pulp is juicy with a neutral taste.

PHENOLOGY

Bud burst

First half of September (approximately 5 days later than Chenin blanc).

Flowering

First half of November (4 to 5 days later than Chenin blanc).

Ripening

Late mid-season, last half of February to first half of March (4 to 7 days later than

Vititec clone information 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:49:00 +0000

Stellenbosch rainfall

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:52:00 +0000

Resistant grape cultivars in South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:46:00 +0000

Gruner Veltliner

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 05:58:00 +0000

Grüner Veltliner is an aromatically shy variety that is native to Austria and produces wines that are focused on its zippy acidity and delicate primary aromatics.

The wines may show botrytized notes (saffron, ginger, added texture) in the Wachau (Austria) for example when the grapes are harvested late, at smaragd ripeness level. Grüner Veltliner are rarely put in contact with new oak and the main winemaking contribution are from yeast extract and lees contact. A low level of dissolved carbon dioxide is likely especially at entry level.

Sparkling wines from Grüner Veltliner are possible. The wines are primarily made to be drunk young when they are fresh and vibrant but the high acidity and extract of the variety are good indicator of ageability.

Reference regions are in Austria: Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Weinvertel. Laterals include Furmint, Assyrtiko, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc. Its recent trendiness, due to its ability to pair well with food, has helped seen this variety blossom in regions outside Austria.

Grape cluster: medium to very large; medium density; conical; shouldered, with large round to oval berries; greenish-yellow, to foxy-yellow on the sun-exposed side.

Leaf: medium-sized, pentagonal to circular, with five to seven lobes, and a moderately hairy underside. The typical white woolly hair on the shoot tip gives the variety its synonym - Weissgipfler

Ripening time: mid-season

Conditions:

It grows especially well in deep loam soils, not drought resistant, is sensitive during flowering, and is susceptible to peronospora, Roter Brenner (Pseudopezicula tracheiphila) and chlorosis

Clone available:

GF 9613

Pinot gris

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 07:11:00 +0000

Nicolas Quillé

Pinot gris is a mildly aromatic variety that can be relatively neutral especially at high yields and in warmer regions. It makes a quaffable white wine that is weighty from its lack of acidity accentuated by the potential for residual sugars especially in Alsace. Because its skin is pink, it is often rich in phenolics providing a little color to the wine and a hint of astringency and/or bitterness which the residual sugar helps to balance.

Pinot gris are not very ageable and are mostly made to be drunk young. The only exception to this rule are Alsatian Pinot Gris that have significant residual sugar and that develop exquisite nutty tertiary aromatics. Alsatian Pinot gris are vastly more complex and concentrated and are in a class apart from anyone else in the world.

Classic regions for Pinot Gris include Alsace, Italy (Alto Adige, Friuli, Venezia Giulia), Oregon as well as Marlborough & Mornington. Laterals to Pinot Gris include many Italian white grapes such as Verdicchio, Vernaccia, Arneis, Cataratto, Trebbiano, Fiano, Greco, Falanghina and also Picpoul, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Yield potential - 10-12 tons per ha

Average sugar concentration - 20-23°B

Average acid concentration - 7-9 g/t

Clone characteristics

PG 40 – average production and vigour, good balanced clone

PG 52 – lower production, smaller bunches, ripens earlier, higher wine quality

PG 457 - average production and vigour, slightly earlier, less susceptible to botrytis

The available clones are characterised by well-balanced, fruity wines with pronounced peach and plum flavours. Intensive selection for the further development of clones is undertaken on a continuous basis.

Chenin blanc klone

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:37:00 +0000

Cabernet Sauvignon clones

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 12:12:00 +0000

Chardonnay clones

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:15:00 +0000

Merlot history

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:11:00 +0000

We do not know anything specific about the origins of Merlot. Thanks to the characteristics of its foliage and the bouquet of its wine, we can say that Merlot, like the Cabernets, is part of the line of Carmenets. In addition, the place of appearance of Merlot could be in the Libournais area. It is indeed in this region that “Merlau” is mentioned for the first time. This is also the area where the most Merlot is planted at the moment.

Carmenet is an old Médoc synonym for Cabernet Franc. It is also the name given to the Bordeaux family of wine-grape varieties by Levadoux in 1948 in his classification of France's ampelographical assemblage into eco-geogroups, varieties grouped by their region of origin and genetic relationships.

The Carmenet eco-geogroup of varieties from the region of Bordeaux includes the blood relatives Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Gros Cabernet, Merlot, Merlot Blanc and Hondarribi Beltza.

Cabernet Franc is involved as a parent or grandparent of all of these varieties.

Fer and Hondarribi Beltza are natives of the País Vasco, the Basque area of Spain on the French border, and are the grandparents of Carmenère. As one of the grandparents of Carmenère, Fer is included in the noble house of Carmenet.

The Carmenet family also includes Petit Verdot, which has no genetic relationship with the Cabernet family and probably was domesticated from wild grapevines of the Pyrénées- Atlantiques region south of Bordeaux.

The Carmenet eco-geogroup does not include the important Bordeaux varieties Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc despite their genetic links with other members of the Carmenet group, Malbec sharing a mother with Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc as the mother of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot is not mentioned in technical documents until the end of the 18th century. It was first mentioned in the Luxembourg garden collection, under the name of Merlot or Bigney rouge, before 1789. However, the real first botanical description, with a colored plate, dates from RENDU (1857). According to this author, "it goes well with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon and it is admitted in the Grands Crus of the Médoc". Likewise, PETIT-LAFITTE (1868) wrote: “in Médoc, it is the most important blending grape variety although this way of acting does not go back very far. Its blending with Cabernet wine must ensures more lightness, more delicacy, more mellowness and also it will also acquire the desired properties more quickly”. As robins (blackbirds) eagerly seek it or even because of its color, it was given the name of this bird: Merlot (petit merle: small blackbird).

Other synonyms were used: Merlotoir, Merlau, Plant Médoc, Sémillon rouge, Alicante, Béguey, Picard, Crabutet noir, Sème dou flube (Plant from the river), Sémilhoun rouge and Biguey rouge. “Biguey”, in Gascon, designates a large vine planted in a trellis in front of the house. It is therefore a variety capable of acquiring significant development. It could therefore just as well designate a very vigorous grape variety as is the case of Merlot. As for the denomination "Sémillon rouge", it undoubtedly alludes to a certain morphological analogy with Sémillon B or to the origin of grape variety: a seedling. We also find this idea in the names "Plant Médoc" or "Sème dou flube".

This grape variety has morphological homogeneity, which tends to prove its recent origin. Merlot is the most planted grape variety in Bordeaux. In Aquitaine, it is only present in three departments: Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne and Gironde.

In Gironde, Merlot is the most planted grape variety (40% of the total area was Merlot in 1988) and it occupy around 50% of the area of the Gironde vineyard today. However, even in 1950, Merlot was a secondary grape in some wine regions . It was considered a producer of coarse wines and susceptible to coulure. However, in 50 years two major events have allowed it to become one of the main grape varieties in Gironde. It was planted considerably after the frost of 1956 because of its speed of fruit setting. In addition, during the reconversion of the Bordeaux vineyard area, it was used a lot because it gives wines that age earlier than those of the Cabernets. At the start of the 1960s, it was already the most planted red grape variety in Gironde. The surface area of Merlot has continued to increase since that time in the Bordeaux vineyards,

Vititec Grafted Grapevines Available 27 July 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 13:13:00 +0000

Cultivars for drought conditions

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 13:32:00 +0000

Top Winegrape Varieties Worldwide 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 11:58:00 +0000

Top Red Grape Varieties in France 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 12:14:00 +0000

Top red varieties planted in South Africa 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:32:00 +0000

Nuwe cultivars van Vititec

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 08:36:00 +0000

Top White Grape Varieties Planted in South Africa, 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Charles Visser) — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 13:28:00 +0000