Vitis vinifera Noir Hâtif de Marseille - Grape vine

The 'Noir Hâtif de Marseille' vine is sometimes called 'Early Black Muscat of Marseille' due to its musky aroma and very sweet flavour of its black grapes. This old southern grape variety, sought after by collectors, produces medium-sized, long and tightly packed clusters, ripening as early as the beginning of August in the Southeast, and in early September elsewhere. This variety is not very vigorous and is also somewhat frost-sensitive, with its productivity being quite low but consistent from year to year. It is also appreciated for its beautiful, vibrant autumn foliage.

The wine grape vine (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago. Its introduction to France for cultivation was done by the Romans. Numerous hybrids were created to vary colours, flavours, and uses. The 'Noir Hâtif de Marseille' vine is said to be a cross between the 'Red Muscat of Madeira' and the 'Pinot Noir' obtained in France by Antoine Besson around 1870, before the invasion of Phylloxera that decimated the French vineyards. This vine is pruned short. It is susceptible to severe frost, downy mildew, and grey rot, but is fairly resistant to powdery mildew.

A sarmentous climbing shrub of weak vigour, the 'Noir Hâtif de Marseille' vine reaches about 3m (10ft) in height or spread if not pruned. Its final shape will depend on the pruning practiced. It is a frugal sun-loving plant, not very demanding, that prefers a soil that is both clayey and stony, with a tendency towards limestone, even dry in summer. Its long stems cling to their support (trellis, espalier) through large green and voluble tendrils. Its foliage, with serrated edges, is a deep green in summer and becomes vibrant in autumn, with the leaf veins remaining green. Its flowering occurs in May-June depending on the year and region, offering tiny greenish flowers grouped in medium-sized, long conical and cylindrical clusters, dense, often accompanied by two small annexed clusters. Its small round grapes, slightly ovoid, have a thick, resistant skin covered with bloom, in a beautiful blackish-blue colour. Their flesh is firm, sweet, and has a finely musky flavour. The clusters of this table grape vine keep well.

The 'Noir Hâtif de Marseille' grape is mainly consumed fresh or prepared as juice. After vinification, it can produce rosé Muscats, sweet or dry wines, pleasantly fruity and aromatic on the palate. You can also use this beautiful climber for ornamenting a pergola, arbor, or training it against a sunny wall in our not too cold regions.