CHAPTER XXVIII 



GRAPE VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA 



Large collections of grape varieties have been brought into Cali- 

 fornia ever since American occupation began. Desirable kinds were 

 sought in all grape countries, and from such wide experimental 

 planting a few have survived in popular esteem and are now chiefly 

 grown. Being derived from different countries, they came bearing 

 many names. Some of these have been preserved, some wholly lost, 

 and replaced with local appellations. The result is that our grape 

 nomenclature is full of confusion. Some varieties have been identi- 

 fied by the means of the standard French grape literature ; others are 

 apparently unknown to the compilers of that literature. It is, there- 

 fore, impossible to-day to determine the original names and sources 

 of a number of our most popular grapes. 



In Chapter XVI the varieties most largely planted for commer- 

 cial purposes are enumerated. Choice of varieties for planting is 

 largely determined by the ripening season of the variety arid the 

 commercial opportunity which the particular region affords there- 

 fore one should direct investments largely on the basis of local 

 inquiries and observations. 



The following list has been compiled as including the varieties 

 chiefly grown for the purposes indicated in 1921 : 



For standard raisins Muscat of Alexandria. 



For seedless raisins Sultanina (Thompson), Seedless Sultana. 



? or ,J ble g ra P e s Flame Tokay, Emperor, Malaga, Cornichon, Sul- 

 tanina (Thompson), Muscat, Verdal, Black Prince, Black Morocco. 



For bulk red wine Zinfandel, Alicante, Bouschet, Carignane, Mataro, 

 Blaue Elbe, Mission, Grenache, Mourastel, Aramon, Petit Bouschet. 



For bulk white wine Berger, Palomino, Feher Szagos, Cabernet 

 bauvignon, Barbera, Valdepenes, Barbera, Green Hungarian, Folle Blanche, 

 West's White Prolific, Gutedel. 



For fine red wine Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera Valde- 

 penes, Beclan. 



For fine white wine Semillon, Colombar, Reissling, Traminer. 



Although there are really very few varieties which are commer- 

 cially important, there are many to be found in the different parts of 

 the State and the following descriptions will help the reader to 

 recognize a number of these. 



r ? y ^ laCk July u ; Syn< Madeleine, Madeleine Noir, etc. "Leaves rather 

 , light green above and beneath; bunches small and compact; berries 

 H!'O? U I round ; skm thick black, covered with a blue bloom; flavor 

 moderately sweet but not rich nor perfumed. The earliest grape, and 

 chiefly valued for dessert on that account." Hyatt. 



White July; S yn Luglienga. "Vine strong-growing and sensitive to 

 hSL .id* 8 !. medlun ? s, ize L ^eply five-lobed, dark green, glabrous on 

 !mint<?. ; K arp J Y to ? thed ' the terminal tooth of each lobe very long and 

 ovTa? fi , UnCheS K med - mm Size ' wdl filled ; berrie s of medium size, 

 oval, at first green, becoming yellow with overripeness, with thin skin, 



