Frontenac Gris as colour-mutant Frontenac grape variety

Abstract

The work aimed to assess the cultivation and breeding prospects of the new Frontenac Gris technical grape variety obtained in 2003 by clonal selection as a colour-mutant Frontenac red technical grape originated by the University of Minnesota, USA. The variety is a complex cross-species hybrid with early maturity in the zone of Novocherkassk, Rostov Region. The variety was studied in 2018-2020 following the common viticulture and winemaking protocols at an experimental plot of the Novocherkassk trial field of All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after Ya.I. Potapenko — Branch of the Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Centre. Vineyards were uncovered, unirrigated, grafted, Berlandieri×Riparia Kober 5BB rootstock, 3×1.5 m planting scheme. Formation as medium-standard double-shouldered horizontal cordon. By combination of economic value and agrobiological traits (cold and winter hardiness, yield, anti-phytopathogen resistance, high wine material quality), the Frontenac Gris variety holds promise in industrial viticulture. It can be recommended for gardening in sufficiently humid cool climates avoiding winter bush sheltering, as well as for breeding. The variety is low-hardy to drought and summer heat, which hinders its growing in the southern country. The variety’s disadvantages are in early maturity and slight berries wilting on bush in dry and windy air, which can pose an issue in juice production from pressed berries.