Blackcurrant Noir de Bourgogne - Ribes nigrum

The 'Noir de Bourgogne' Blackcurrant, sometimes called Dijon Blackcurrant, is the variety traditionally planted in that region of France and used for the production of the regional specialty crème de cassis and, by extension, the Kir cocktail in which this liqueur plays an important role. The variety is old but it has been improved in terms of productivity. The berries are highly aromatic and are perfect for making jellies, jams, and liqueurs. Planting is preferably done in autumn or alternatively in spring with regular watering. The variety flowers quite late, in April, and the harvest takes place towards the end of June or the beginning of July.

The Blackcurrant bush (Ribes nigrum) belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like redcurrant bushes. It is a deciduous shrub native to regions ranging from the Pyrenees to Central Asia. Cultivated since the 16th century, the Blackcurrant bush grows spontaneously in cool woodlands in northeastern Europe.

The fruits appear on 2-year-old branches and become rarer on branches 4 years and older. Harvesting is done when the fruits are fully black and start falling to the ground. Wait for the fruits to reach full ripeness before harvesting them, otherwise you will have a very acidic and less sweet harvest. The 'Noir de Bourgogne' variety has heritage value. Despite its susceptibility to powdery mildew, it remains greatly appreciated for its very aromatic and tangy flavour, firm and juicy berries, rich in vitamin C and quite easy to harvest.

The Blackcurrant bush forms a vigorous and perfectly hardy shrub. It reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 metres (3 to 5 feet) with a spread of about 1 metre (3 feet). It does not tolerate summer droughts well, so it is better to plant it in partial shade in a cool environment if your garden is located in a warmer southern region. The leaves, deciduous, are large and have three to five lobes with toothed edges, bright green and pleasantly fragrant when crushed. Leaves, fruits, and buds are intensely fragrant due to the presence of glands containing essential oils, which are used in perfumery.

Flowering takes place in spring, in the form of small bell-shaped flowers that are often not very visible. 'Noir de Bourgogne' is a self-sterile variety and therefore requires the proximity of another blackcurrant bush. 'Andega' and 'Boskoop Giant' are excellent pollinators for this variety. In the garden, when space allows, create a small edible hedge by mixing Blackcurrant bushes, Redcurrant bushes, and Raspberry bushes, for example, or plant the Blackcurrant bush within a flowering shrub border.