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Alternative cultivars
Charles Visser
At the moment there is a fair amount of interest in other cultivars apart from the usual international cultivars that are currently being planted in South Africa.
Some producers have already realised that the adventurous wine lover is looking for other flavours and wine styles and have begun to plant small quantities of the newer cultivars.
The Western Cape Vine Discussion Group studied a number of these cultivars in 1999 and based on the limited information that is currently available, recommendations have been made regarding the wine and cultivation potential of the cultivars.
Barbera
Origin: Italy
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 10 877
Production
Production: 3 - 4 kg/vine
Acid: 9 - 10 g/l at 24 - 26°B
Ripening: Mid season (end February to beginning March)
Bunch mass: 190 g
Berries: Average size
Clones
BB 1 (VSA) and BB 84 (Italy)
Wine and cultivation potential
May be planted in warm areas on medium to low potential soils. In cool areas high acids may be a problem, 101-14 should be used for earlier ripening. Only as a blend cultivar with Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon and possibly Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
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Carignan
Origin: Spain
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 2 386
Production
Production: 8 - 10 kg/vine
Acid: 6 - 8 g/l at 22 - 23°B
Ripening: Late season (middle to end March)
Bunch mass: 350 g
Berries: Average to large
Clones
CA 1, CA 4 (Local) and CA 171 (France)
Wine and cultivation potential
Limited application in South Africa. Possible in warm, dry areas, low potential soils, dryland, extensive. Light style dry wine or as a blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
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Grenache
Origin: Spain
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 0
Production
Production: Average
Growth vigour: Strong
Sometimes problems with drooping
Ripening: Late mid to late season
Bunches: Large
Berries: Average
Clone
GN 70 (France)
Wine and cultivation potential
May be planted in moderate and warm, dry areas on medium to low potential soils, extensive conditions. Not for intensive irrigation areas due to low quality when production is high. Resistant to drought, wind and sun. May be used in blends with e.g. Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Crop control is required.
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Malbec
Origin: France
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 29 024
Production
Production: 5 - 6 kg/vine (Big variation from year to year)
Acid: 6 - 7 g/l at 22 - 23°B
Ripening: Early mid season (mid to end February)
Bunches: Medium large (250 g)
Berry: Medium large (2,5 g)
Clones
MC 1(California), MC 71(Argentina), MC 46 and MC 279 (France)
Wine and cultivation potential
Vigorously growing cultivar that is inclined to drooping. Sensitive to weather conditions, especially during flowering. Use less vigorous rootstocks to improve berry set. Crop should be controlled. Malbec is recommended in cooler regions with good soils. May be used as a cultivar wine or as a blend with e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
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Mourvèdre (Mataro)
Origin: Spain
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 15 608
Cultivation
Production: 5 - 7 kg/vine
Growth vigour: Strong
Acid: 6 g/l at 22 - 23°B
Ripening: Late mid season (end February to middle March)
Bunch mass: 300 g
Berries: Small and round
Clone
MT 11
Wine and cultivation potential
Crop control required. Recommended in mild to warm areas. Limited use on medium potential soils. May be recommended in limited quantities in blends.
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Nebbiolo
Origin: Italy
Availability of material
Number of vines in mother blocks: 16 493
Production
Production: 3 - 4 kg/vine
Growth vigour: Average
Ripening: Mid to late season
Bunch mass: 300 g
Berry mass: 2 g
Clones
NB 2, NB 3, NB 36 and NB 230 (Italy)
Wine and cultivation potential
Limited application due to lack of sufficient experience with cultivar.
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