Vitis vinifera Ambra - Grape vine

The 'Ambra' table grape vine is a very useful variety for its natural resistance to diseases, without treatments, and its juicy "white", almost seedless grapes, with aromas of red fruits. This vine produces elongated clusters filled with round berries that become slightly golden at full ripeness. The harvest takes place from August 25th to September 25th, depending on the region, the year, and the climate. This vine requires little maintenance, except for pruning in late winter. It naturally grows on a pergola or arbour.

Vitis 'Ambra' is a deciduous fruiting climbing plant belonging to the Vitaceae family, like all grapevines. One of its ancestors is Vitis vinifera, a species cultivated since ancient times in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This hybrid probably also possesses the genes of Vitis labrusca, a North American species that has passed on its natural resistance to phylloxera, which parasitises the roots of European vines. Its grapes have also inherited its particular flavour, described as "foxy" when vinified. When consumed fresh, they offer a delicate aroma of red fruit. It is a semi-seedless hybrid variety, meaning its berries contain very few seeds.

The 'Ambra' vine develops serpentine stems with tendrils that can exceed 4 metres long over time. It forms a trunk, often knotty and twisted, covered with fibrous, brown bark that flakes off in strips as it ages. Its long green stems bear beautiful round leaves, with serrated edges, medium green, turning yellow before falling in autumn. It blooms in late spring, in May, earlier or later depending on the region, in the form of dense, pyramidal to cylindrical clusters, loaded with tiny nectar-rich, green flowers. After pollination by bees, the berries we call grapes are formed. The clusters of the 'Ambra' vine are medium-sized, weighing about 300 grams. They are elongated, winged, and rather compact. The round berries, with powdery skin, change from green to greenish-yellow, or even golden yellow in full sun and at full ripeness. Their tender green, juicy and sweet flesh, reveals a typical aroma of red fruits. This variety is very hardy, resistant to diseases, and easy to grow in any well-drained garden soil. Prune in late winter, after the frost, above 3 buds (dormant buds) to promote the formation of new flowering shoots.

Planted in a sunny location, the 'Ambra' vine will be very decorative along a wall, on an arbour, a pergola, in the ground, or in a large container on a terrace. This vigorous variety is also widely planted for garden ornamentation, due to its decorative foliage.