Vitis vinifera Verdea blanche - Grape vine

Vitis vinifera 'Verdea' is a very old grape variety, with a late ripening period, once appreciated for its table grapes, and later for late harvest wine production. This vine produces moderate-sized, uneven clusters composed of round and irregular berries with slightly thick skin. When ripe, these berries display a greenish-yellow to golden-yellow colour, which can turn amber-red if exposed to sunlight. The pulp is slightly fleshy and quite juicy, offering a sweet and pleasant flavour. The plant is robust, but its productivity varies from year to year. It is resistant to the main vine diseases, but somewhat vulnerable to drought. Harvesting is done at full ripeness, between September and October.

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago. Many hybrids have been created to vary colours, flavours, and uses. The 'Verdea blanche' vine is a variety likely originating from Tuscany, Italy, still cultivated in other Italian regions. It can sometimes be found in Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Depending on the region, it is called 'Vardea bianca', 'Colombana bianca del Picciolli', 'Colombana bianca di Peccioli', 'Colombano bianco', 'Dorée d'Italie', 'Verdecana bianca', 'Paradisa blanche', and more.

A vigorous climbing vine, the 'Verdea blanche' vine reaches an average height of 5m. Its final shape depends on the pruning practised. It can cling to its support (trellis, espalier...) thanks to its long tendrils and prefers sunny locations. It has a semi-erect to horizontal habit. It is recommended to train it on wire and trellis it well. It is indifferent to soil types and undemanding, but this variety still prefers clay-limestone, rocky soils that are not too arid. Its foliage is medium green in summer and not very susceptible to various fungal diseases (even grey rot) that affect the vine, which avoids repeated treatments. It turns brown before falling late in autumn. It flowers in clusters from April to May, with small greenish flowers. In March, it is pruned long, starting from the fourth node or bud present on the branch.

Its grapes are gathered in medium-sized, pyramidal-conical, clusters, irregular in terms of volume, shape, or compactness. They have an almost round shape and are also of variable size. These berries are initially green and ripen in September-October. The grapes, covered with thick skin, are yellow, golden, or amber when ripe. The pulp is slightly fleshy, quite juicy, sweet, and pleasant in flavour.

The grapes can be consumed as table fruit, fresh, but also in jam, jelly, fruit juice, pastries, and of course, in wine or spirits after vinification. This rare 'Verdea blanche' variety is also an ornamental plant that can be trellised near the terrace, to have its beautiful clusters within reach.