Vitis vinifera Rhea

The Table Grape Vine or Vitis vinifera Rhea is a mid-early variety. The harvest takes place in September and can start earlier in the south. It produces large clusters, cylindrical to conical in shape, moderately tight, with a long and strong stem, weighing between 400 and 800 grams. They are composed of medium-sized grapes, oval in shape, with a uniform pink colour. The grape is fleshy and juicy, the flesh is sweet, slightly acidic (5 to 6 g/l), flavourful, harmonious and seedless. This variety is resistant to fungal diseases and frost, down to -21°C.

The wine grape, in Latin Vitis vinifera, belongs to the Vitaceae family, just like the Virginia creeper. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in North Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe. Between 1000 and 500 BC, it was introduced by the Romans to Italy, Sicily, Spain, Portugal, and the south of France. During this ancient period, wines were diluted with water and flavoured with herbs and spices. It is from the Middle Ages that we find wine as we know it today. In the 17th century, winemaking shifted towards the pursuit of higher-quality wines, but at the end of the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed a large part of the French vineyards, and thus in the 20th century, the science of wine emerged: enology. This species is grown for its fruit in clusters called grapes, which can be consumed fresh as table grapes, fermented into wine, or dried as raisins.

The 'Rhea' variety was obtained by Dorota Pospíšilová in Slovakia. It comes from the crossbreeding of Chaouch Rozoyi x Nedeltcheff Magvatlana. It forms a plant with long, woody, and climbing branches, called canes when they are mature and lignified, reaching up to 4 metres (13 feet) in spread, or even more when trained. The young branches that bear leaves, fruit, and tendrils that allow the vine to wrap around a support are called shoots. Its root system can reach a depth of up to 5 metres (16 feet) in the soil, ensuring good drought resistance for the vine. Very aesthetic, the branches are supported by a twisted trunk, with bark that peels off in strips as it ages. With a remarkable longevity, the vine can live for several centuries. Its deciduous foliage consists of large leaves measuring 8 to 16 cm (3 to 6in) in diameter, alternate, with 5 or 7 lobes, and toothed edges, attached to the branches by a long petiole. They change from a tender green colour at budburst to a medium green during the season, and turn golden yellow in autumn. The flowering, very discreet, occurs in May-June. Opposite the leaves, it appears as a cluster measuring 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) long, composed of small insignificant flowers, yellowish-green in color, with 5 prominent stamens. As a self-fertile variety, the hermaphroditic flowers self-pollinate. To form the cluster, the fleshy, round berries are attached to the stem by small pedicels. Floral buds freeze at -2°C, but the relatively late flowering of this variety is not easily affected by spring frosts. This hardy plant can be grown anywhere in Europe, in a sunny and warm location, in well-drained, deep soil, even poor, dry, and chalky soil.

The 'Rhea' table grape vine is a productive and vigorous variety, with quick fruiting, around 2 to 3 years, becoming optimal after 7 to 8 years. However, it is advisable to prune it sparingly. To achieve beautiful fruit colouration, light leaf removal can be practiced. The harvest, uniform and abundant, takes place between late August and late September, depending on the region and climate. It is important to only pick the fruit when it is fully ripe, as it does not ripen further once picked, and to gently pick the cluster with its stem, using secateurs. One vine can produce a quantity of 20 to 30 kg per year, depending on vine management. Grapes can only be stored for a few days in a cool place or in the refrigerator. 

Seedless, firm, juicy, and sweet, this table grape is delicious when eaten raw. It is also an ideal fruit for making jams, jellies, and fruit juice; for making clafoutis, cakes, custards, or loaves; for preparing salads with other fruits; or even for accompanying savory dishes based on poultry (turkey, chicken, quail, duck, etc.). It pairs wonderfully with cheese, endives, walnuts, cured ham, etc. Rich in carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) from 16 to 18 g per 100 g, grapes are a calorie-dense fruit (approx. 80 Cal/100 g). Its content of vitamins B (B2, B6) and C, phenolic antioxidants, and dietary fibres, as well as manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium, with a significant iron content, make grapes a health asset. It is a healthy, natural, and flavourful fruit.

In addition to its fruit-bearing abilities, the 'Rhea' table grape vine can showcase its ornamental qualities when trained on a pergola, arbor, or wall. To offer a tasting of table grapes from August to October, it can be interesting to associate it with other earlier varieties, such as : 'Golden Chasselas', 'Pink Chasselas', 'King of Early', 'Centennial Seedless', 'Perlette', 'Madeleine Royal', or later ones:  'Alphonse Lavallée', 'Centennial Seedless', 'Exalta', 'Muscat d'Alexandrie', 'Muscat de Hambourg', 'Sultanica Bianca'. But in any case, among a wide range of vine varieties, it is easy to find the one that best suits your desires.

For a more urban use, it is entirely possible to grow a grapevine in a pot on a balcony or terrace, trained in a warm and well-pruned situation. In this configuration, the vine will be highly ornamental.