Vitis vinifera Chasselas Doré - Grape vine

The 'Chasselas Doré' Vine is a variety of white table grape, it is a very old grape variety, of medium vigour, but very fertile. The grapes, with their juicy and fragrant flesh, are grouped in large generous clusters. This climbing vine, with its distinctive character, will please in two ways: its twisted trunk and its emblematic foliage make it as ornamental as it is fruitful. This vine will grow well in poor soil, but it requires a beautiful warm and sunny exposure.

It is a climbing vine, which clings to its support with tendrils. It can reach 2 metres (7 feet) in width. The trunk is beautifully twisted, the long shoots that come from it bear deciduous, palmate and cut foliage, light green and downy on the underside, turning golden yellow in October. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of clusters of small greenish flowers. The fruits ripen from late August to late September, depending on the region. The grapes are distinguished by their modest size, their golden and sometimes amber translucent colour, and their exceptionally sweet and fragrant flesh. They are grouped in large, elongated and fairly loose clusters. The yield is good, depending on the form chosen to train the bush, ranging from 3 kg for a goblet shape to 15 kg per vine for a trellis.

The genus Vitis belongs to the family Vitaceae. 'Chasselas Doré' was obtained from Vitis vinifera, a species native to the warm regions of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, which has been cultivated since ancient times. Chasselas is the village near Mâcon, where this grape variety was developed in the 16th century. Grapes are particularly sweet and nutritious fruits. They are rich in sugar (15 to 18%), contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, dietary fibre, and tannins (anthocyanins). They are enjoyed fresh, as juice, or in tarts. To keep clusters until the heart of winter, they should be picked with their stalk and a long portion of the branchlet, which should be immersed in a container of water that is regularly changed. This operation should be carried out in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight.

The 'Chasselas Doré' vine can be used on a trellis or pergola, providing delightful shade while allowing light to pass through in winter. This table grape will also find its place along the edge of a vegetable garden or orchard. In a large pot, a venerable, twisted vine plant will bring a touch of wisdom and sunshine to the terrace.