Vitis vinifera Pizzutello Bianco, Cornichon blanc, Pizza Tella Bianco - Grapevine

The 'Pizzutello Bianco' Table Grape Vine, known as 'White Gherkin' in France, is an ancient variety that produces beautiful elongated and slightly incurved, crunchy, sweet, fairly neutral, but very pleasant tasting grapes. this late ripening variety is ready for harvest from mid-October to late November and its grapes can be stored until Christmas. The clusters are medium-sized, cylindrical-conical or pyramidal and fairly sparse, weighing 300-400 g. This vine is cultivated in mild climates in regions further south, where it can withstand heat and drought. It is not very resistant to diseases and requires some natural preventive treatments.

The wine grape, in Latin Vitis vinifera, belongs to the Vitaceae family, just like the Virginia Creeper. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in North Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe. Between 1000 and 500 BC, it was introduced by the Romans to Italy, Sicily, Spain, Portugal, and southern France. During this ancient period, wines were diluted with water and flavoured with herbs and spices. The wine we know today was first produced in the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, winemaking shifted towards the production of higher quality wines, but at the end of the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed a large part of the French vineyards, and thus the science of wine, oenology, emerged in the 20th century. This species is cultivated for its clustered fruits called "grapes," which can be consumed fresh as table grapes, fermented into wine, or dried as raisins.

The 'Pizzutello Bianco' grape vine is a very ancient variety originating from Turkey. Long known and today under many synonyms, it is still cultivated in various Mediterranean countries. For example, it can be found in Spain, as it can withstand heat and drought, and has a late ripening of its grapes. It is a plant with long, climbing branches, called canes when they are old and woody, which can reach a spreading of 5 metres or more when trained. The young branches that bear the leaves, fruits, and tendrils that allow the vine to cling to a support are called shoots. Its root system can reach a depth of 5 metres in the soil, providing the vine with good drought resistance. Very aesthetic, the branches are supported by a twisted trunk with bark that peels off in strips with age. With a remarkable longevity, the vine can live for several centuries. Its deciduous foliage consists of alternate large leaves measuring 8 to 16 cm wide with 5 or 7 lobes, toothed along the edges, attached to the branches by a long petiole. They change from tender green at bud burst to medium green during the season, and turn golden yellow, orange, and reddish-purple in autumn, providing a very colourful spectacle. The modest flowering occurs in May-June. Opposite the leaves, it appears in the form of clusters measuring 10 to 12 cm in length, composed of small insignificant, yellowish-green flowers, with 5 protruding stamens. As a self-fertile variety, the hermaphroditic flowers self-pollinate. To form the cluster, the fleshy and globular berries are attached to the stem by small pedicels. The flower buds freeze at temperatures below -2°C, but the late flowering of this variety is not very susceptible to spring frosts. This hardy plant can tolerate temperatures around -20°C, but dislikes summer humidity, which promotes the appearance of spots on the leaves and fruits (powdery mildew, leaf and cluster mildew). This variety is cultivated in well-drained, deep, even poor, dry, and chalky soil.

Table grapes are delicious when eaten raw. They are also ideal for making jams, jellies, fruit juices, clafoutis, cakes, custards, or loaves or for fruit salads with other fruits, or accompanying savoury dishes. Grapes are rich in carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) from 16 to 18 g per 100 g and are a calorie-dense fruit (approx. 80 Cal/100 g). Their content of vitamins B (B2, B6) and C, phenolic antioxidants, fibres, manganese, potassium, calcium and magnesium, with a significant iron contribution, make grapes a healthy choice. They are a healthy, natural, and tasty fruit.

In addition to its fruit-bearing capabilities, the 'Pizzutello Bianco' vine is ornamental when trained on an arbour, pergola, or wall. To have table grapes from August to October, associate it with other earlier varieties, such as: Chasselas Doré, Chasselas Rosé, Roi des Précoces, Centennial Seedless, Perlette, Madeleine Royal, or later varieties: Dattier de Beyrouth, Italia, Muscat d'Alexandrie. Among a wide range of grapevines, it is easy to find the one that best suits one's tastes.