Characteristics of the Wine Grape Cultivar Vidal 256 as Grown in Erie County, Pennsylvania

Abstract

The cultivar Vidal 256 (V-256), a progeny from the cross 'St. Emilion' x 'Seibel 4986', was highly productive, vigorous and fairly resistant to mildew in France (9). It also seemed to fruit well after being subjected to frost. Fruit tended to be acid and slightly scented. Einset et al. (8) classified 'V-256' as hardy, late maturing, but that musts contained acceptable sugar to ferment into sound wines possessing good aroma. Wines, however, tended to be young, slightly harsh, tart and somewhat thin in body. Cahoon and Gallander (6) reported 'V-256' as vigorous, moderately winter hardy with crown gall ( Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Smith and Towne) in evidence. Incidences of other disease organisms were low. Musts ranged in soluble solids from 17.9% to 23.0% in some years. Under southern Ohio conditions total acidity values were low (0.82 g/100 g). Wines possessed fine aroma, were slightly tart, but were rated as good.