Vitis vinifera Muscat de Hambourg - Grape vine

The 'Muscat de Hambourg' Vine is an ancient variety, well-known, forming a vigorous and fertile climbing bush, not very susceptible to diseases. The flowering, early, takes place in March, which makes it fragile in the north due to frosts. The clusters are ripe in early September. They are pyramidal, elongated, not very tight, formed of large ovoid grapes, protected by a thick blackish-purple skin, very pruinose. Under this robe, the flesh is juicy and melting, sweet and pleasantly musky. It is a remarkable variety, whose fruits keep well. Its foliage turns to a shimmering golden amber in autumn. This vine with a strong character will please for two reasons: its twisted trunk and its emblematic foliage make it both an ornamental and fruit-bearing plant. To be planted in well-drained, deep, even poor, arid and chalky soil, in a very warm exposure.

The Vitis vinifera 'Muscat de Hambourg' belongs to the Vitaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars obtained from Vitis vinifera, native to warm regions of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, cultivated since ancient times. 'Muscat de Hambourg' was obtained in Germany (in Hamburg), around 1860, after cross-breeding between the varieties 'Muscat d'Alexandrie' and 'Frankenthal'. It is a climbing plant, which clings to its support with tendrils equipped with climbing roots. The plant is voluble, its woody climbing stems can measure up to 7 m (23ft) in length, and the bush can occupy a diameter of 3 m (10ft). It forms a trunk from which its long stems emerge with deciduous, palmate and dissected foliage, matte green and downy on the underside, turn to amber yellow in October. The flowering takes place very early, in March, in the form of irregular clusters of numerous small greenish flowers gathered in thyrses. The fruits ripen from early to late September, depending on the region. They are distinguished by their ovoid shape, their black and matte colour, bluish under the bloom that covers them, and their exceptionally sweet and musky flesh. The bark of the plant is fibrous, dark, it flakes with age, covering the twisted trunk with a very original appearance. The yield is very good, depending on the form chosen to train the bush, from 5 kg in a goblet shape to 20 kg per plant for a long trellis. Grapes are particularly sweet and nutritious fruit. They are rich in sugar (15 to 18%), contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, fibre and tannins (anthocyanins). They are enjoyed fresh or as juice. To keep clusters until the heart of winter, they will be picked with their petiole and a long portion of the branch, which will be immersed in a container containing water that will be regularly changed. This operation will be carried out in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight.

Growing in all regions, resistant to - 20°C (68°F), this vine will only bear fruit if the buds have escaped severe frosts and the summer is hot, unless it is trained against a warm wall. In the absence of fruit, it will provide a delightful shade above a terrace, and let the light through in winter. The 'Muscat de Hambourg' vine can be used on a trellis or a pergola. This table grape will also find its place on the edge of a vegetable garden or orchard. In a large pot (minimum 35L), a venerable twisted vine-plant will bring a touch of wisdom and sunshine to the terrace.