Vitis vinifera Chasselat Cioutat - Grape vine

The 'Chasselas Cioutat' is a very unique variety, both in terms of taste and decoration. This climbing plant produces highly perfumed and sweet golden yellow grapes, just like the classic 'Chasselas' from which it originates and which has a well-established reputation. In addition to its delicious berries, this grape variety displays a magnificent, deeply cut foliage, which also takes on beautiful yellow to red colours in autumn. This vine thrives in most neutral to limestone, well-drained soils in sunny locations. It is resistant to cold temperatures.

The wine grape vine (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago in North and Central America, Europe, and Central and Eastern Asia. The subspecies sylvestris still exists, and it is a climbing liana that grows on the edges of forests and can reach great heights in trees. It was introduced to France for cultivation by the Phocaeans in Provence around 600 BC. The current varieties, referred to as grape varieties, are classified under the subspecies vinifera (although there are other cultivated species, but they are very rare). Economically, wine grapes dominate over table grapes, with more than 200 authorized grape varieties in France, the result of centuries of selective breeding.

A sarmentous climbing shrub of medium vigour, the 'Chasselas Cioutat' vine can easily reach a height or spread of 4m (13ft) if not pruned. Its final shape will depend on the pruning method used. Despite being a vine with tendrils, it still needs support to help it climb: trellises, fences, arbors, pergolas, etc. It is also a frugal sun-loving plant that prefers a soil that is both clayey and rocky, with a tendency towards limestone, but it can be sensitive to prolonged drought. Its flowering occurs in May-June, depending on the year and region, producing small greenish flowers in large conical and cylindrical clusters. The grapes turn yellow to golden at maturity in September. This variety is a mutation of the well-known and renowned 'Chasselas' grape, retaining all its delicious qualities. The berries are both fragrant and sweet.

The mutation that distinguishes it from the original variety is mainly in its foliage, which is deeply and intricately cut. Recognizable among a thousand, it stands out from other grape varieties and can rival the most beautiful ornamental foliage. To top it off, it takes on beautiful colours in autumn, ranging from yellow to red, further enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Being highly hardy (down to -20°C, or even -25°C), this vine thrives in full sun, in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It can tolerate ordinary, even rocky soil, as long as it is not too dry. Excessive soil fertility or over-fertilization will benefit vegetative growth more than fruit production (in this particular case, it could almost be an objective given the beauty of the foliage, but it is completely unnecessary!). Simply apply organic fertilizer after harvest to build up reserves for the winter. Your vine will use them to start fresh in the following spring.

The 'Chasselas Cioutat' grapes can be enjoyed fresh or used to make juice, for example in a vitamin-packed fruit cocktail for breakfast. With its magnificent foliage, you can use it to decorate an arbor, pergola, or train it against a sunny wall sheltered from cold winds. Create a surprise by combining it with ornamental climbers like Clematis to add the beauty of their flowers to the unique foliage. You can also vary the taste by planting a black grape variety alongside it, such as the delicious 'Muscat de Hambourg' with its very sweet fruits.