Vitis vinifera Argentina - dessert grape

The Vitis vinifera Argentina is a very rare vine in cultivation that will delight food lovers and curious gardeners. It is a hardy Argentine variety characterised by its clusters of small, elongated and pointed pink, seedless grapes with a muscat aroma. The plant has medium vigour and is disease-resistant. Harvest takes place in September-October depending on the region.

The wine grape vine (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago. Many hybrids were created to vary colours, flavours, and uses. The Argentina variety is the result of cross-breeding between the Moscatel rosado N°2 vine (a pink muscat) and Gargiulo 1481. It possesses, among others, the genes of Vitis Sultanina, which has passed on seedless grapes to its descendants. 'Argentina' is classified both as a dessert grape and a grape for winemaking.

The Argentina vine is a medium-vigour, twining bush which easily reaches 4m (13ft) in height or spread if not pruned. Its final shape will depend on the pruning. It is a frugal sun-loving plant that is not very demanding and prefers clayey and rocky soil, with a tendency to be chalky, but can be sensitive to prolonged drought. Its long stems cling to their support (trellis, espalier...) through large green and twining tendrils. Its deep green foliage with serrated edges turns to beautiful gold in autumn. It flowers in May-June depending on the year and region, with very small greenish flowers gathered in conical to pyramidal, medium-sized, fairly compact clusters. This flowering feeds bees. Its small grapes (1.5cm (1in)) have a slightly pointed end. Their moderately thick skin changes from green to golden yellow and then to pink when fully ripe.

The Argentina grape can be eaten fresh or as juice, for example in a vitamin-packed fruit cocktail for breakfast. You can use the plant to decorate a pergola or a trellis or train it against a very sunny wall sheltered from cold winds.