Vitis vinifera Solaris - Grapevine

The 'Solaris' Vine is grown as a table and wine grape. This variety stands out for its excellent resistance to fungal diseases such as mildew and powdery mildew. It produces medium-sized, cylindrical, elongated, and compact clusters, composed of medium-sized berries that start off yellow-green and turn golden yellow when fully ripe. When eaten fresh, right after harvest, the grapes have a fruity and sweet taste, with a slight acidity. Once fermented, the grapes produce a dry wine with a fruity aroma that may reveal slight muscat notes, accompanied by its usual strength. Its delicate aromas include hints of banana as well as exotic and citrus notes. Harvesting begins around early September in the south, and around mid-September in the north.

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. Wine as we know it today was first produced in the Middle Ages. 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, leading to the emergence of the science of wine: oenology. This species is cultivated for its clustered grapes, which can be consumed fresh, fermented into wine, or dried as raisins.

The 'Solaris' variety is also known by the breeding numbers: Freiburg 240-75 and FR 240-75. It is the result of an interspecific cross between two varieties: Merzling (Zarya Severa) and Geisenheim 6493 (Muscat Ottonel). Its name refers to the sun, evoking its magnificent colour nuances. Originating from Germany, specifically from Freiburg, it was developed by Norbert Becker in 1975 and is widely cultivated in gardens in this country, as well as in Belgium, the Netherlands, and England. Grown in the form of a trellis, the plant produces long, woody, climbing shoots, called canes when they are mature and woody, reaching 4 to 6 metres in spread, or even more, once trained. The young shoots, called tendrils, bear the leaves, fruits, and tendrils that allow the vine to wrap around a support. Its root system can reach depths of up to 5 metres in the soil, providing the vine with good drought resistance. The shoots are supported by a twisted trunk, with bark that peels off in strips with age. With remarkable longevity, the vine can live for several centuries. It has large, deciduous leaves, 8 to 16 cm in width, arranged alternately, with 5 or 7 lobes, serrated along the edges, attached to the shoots by a long petiole. They transition from light green during bud burst to medium green during the season, and shades of golden yellow, orange, and reddish-purple in autumn, offering a colourful spectacle. The very discreet flowering occurs in May-June. It appears opposite the leaves as a cluster measuring 8 to 12 cm in length, composed of small insignificant, yellowish-green flowers with 5 prominent stamens. As a self-fertile variety, the hermaphroditic flowers self-pollinate. To form the cluster, the fleshy and round berries are attached to the stem by small pedicels. The floral buds freeze at temperatures below -2°C, but the relatively late flowering of this variety is not greatly affected by spring frosts. This hardy plant can be grown in sunny and warm locations, in well-drained, deep, even poor, dry, and limestone soils.

The Solaris Vine is a productive and vigorous variety, with rapid fruiting, around 2 to 3 years, reaching optimal production after 7 to 8 years. However, it is advisable to prune it sparingly to avoid exhausting it. To achieve beautiful fruit colouration, light leaf removal can be practised. The uniform and abundant harvest takes place throughout September, with variations depending on the region and climate. It is important only to pick the fruits when they are fully ripe, as they do not ripen further, and to gently harvest the cluster with its pedicel, using pruning shears. One vine can produce 20 to 30 kg per year, varying depending on vine management. Grapes can only be stored for a few days in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

Firm, juicy, sweet, slightly acidic 'Solaris' is delicious when eaten raw. It is also an ideal fruit for making jam, jelly, and fruit juice, clafoutis, cakes, custards, or cakes, salads with other fruits or for accompanying savoury poultry dishes (turkey, chicken, quail, duck...). It pairs well with cheeses, endives, walnuts, and cured ham... Grapes are rich in carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) from 16 to 18 g per 100 g, a calorie-dense fruit (approx. 80 Cal/100 g). The content of vitamins B (B2, B6) and C, phenolic antioxidants, fibres, manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium, with a significant iron content, make grapes a healthy choice. They are a healthy, natural, and tasty fruit.

In addition to its fruit characteristics, the Solaris Vine can also be used for decorative purposes when trained on a pergola, arbour, or wall. To enjoy table grapes from August to October, it is a good idea to associate it with other varieties, some earlier ones such as Chasselas doré, Chasselas rosé, Roi des précoces, Centennial Seedless, Perlette, Madeleine Royal, or later ones like Alphonse Lavallée, Exalta, Muscat d'Alexandrie, Muscat de Hambourg, Sultanica bianca. However, with the diversity offered among a wide range of vines, it is easy to find one to suit.

In urban areas, it is possible to grow a vine in a container on a balcony or terrace, trained in a warm location and pruned properly. In this case, the vine will be highly ornamental.