Grapevine: 10 hardy varieties for northern France

A question of earliness

Two criteria guide choice of grape variety to plant north of the Loire: earliness and disease resistance.

Hardy, grapevine can be grown in many regions and even up to 1000 m altitude. There are about 75 grapevine species, including Vitis vinifera, most widely cultivated. While most vines tolerate frosts around -20°C without any problem, others withstand cold down to -30°C. However, flower buds freeze from -2°C and are therefore vulnerable to late spring frosts. In cold regions, avoid very early-flowering varieties that risk being endangered by night frosts.

Depending on variety and region, grapes ripen between August — for early harvests — and October — for late varieties. In cold regions with long winters, especially north of the Loire, avoid planting overly late varieties, as grapes would not have time to ripen before winter: choose early-producing grapevine varieties whose harvest takes place from late August to mid-September approximately.

Finally, also favour hybrid varieties resistant to cryptogamic diseases (less susceptible to downy mildew and powdery mildew in humid regions).

Grapevine 'Ampelia Perdin®'

Grapevine ‘Ampelia Perdin®‘ is a hybrid table white grape variety created by INRA, very hardy up to mid-mountain (around 1,000 m altitude). Harvest occurs very early from mid‑August; this variety is particularly suited to regions north of the Loire. It produces very generous, flavoursome clusters of table white grapes, with a flavour close to muscat. It is also highly resistant to diseases, notably downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis.

But all Ampelia® grapevines are very resistant to fungal diseases and require little or no treatment.

Ampelia grapevines (Perdin on the left)

Vitis vinifera 'King of the Earlies'

Vitis vinifera ‘Roi des précoces’ is an old French variety particularly early: its flowering occurs in May, harvest begins as early as August north of the Loire. This table grape offers clusters of bluish-black colour revealing a very sweet flavour. If you live in a rainy area, apply treatment simply as a precaution as it can be quite susceptible to diseases.

Grapevine 'Boskoop Glory'

Boskoop Glory vine is a hardy, vigorous variety resistant to winter cold: it grows perfectly north of the Loire. In mid-September it produces attractive, flavoursome bluish-black clusters. It is a very productive vine with good yield. However, it is fairly susceptible to diseases: downy mildew and powdery mildew are very common, so this vine should be treated preventively with Bordeaux mixture, sulphur or horsetail manure.

Grapevine 'Pinot Noir'

Pinot Noir grapevine is a variety resistant to winter frosts and very well suited to temperate climates. Harvest takes place in October. Once vinified, its blue-black to deep violet grapes produce the Pinot Noir grape variety that has made Burgundy wines famous.

Grapevine 'Bianca'

Bianca grapevine is a very vigorous variety that can be grown as far north as the northern reaches of Europe. It produces clusters of greenish-yellow to golden-yellow grapes, crisp and sweet, with aromas of apricot and peach. Harvest takes place in late September to early October. It is a grapevine of moderate susceptibility to disease, so well suited to wet gardens.

Vine 'Fragola Nera'

‘Fragola Nera’ grapevine, also known as strawberry vine, is distinguished by its grapes with a very pronounced wild strawberry flavour! This original variety is very hardy and easy to grow in any well-drained, non-calcareous garden soil. It is a productive vine and not very susceptible to disease. It shows natural resistance to phylloxera, which parasitises the roots of European vines. Its grapes can be eaten raw, they are delicious, used for juice or jam. They can also be vinified.

Grapevine 'Katharina'

Grapevine ‘Katharina’ produces beautiful, large ellipsoidal yellow-green to carmine-pink berries, with sweet, fragrant flesh. Harvest takes place in mid-September. Very disease-resistant, it is easily grown north of the Loire and will require almost no treatment.

Grapevine 'Aperina Ametista'

Grapevine ‘Aperina Ametista’ is a table grape variety described as “seedless”: its large golden to pink berries have a delicate strawberry flavour and are free of pips. A treat for children! Very hardy, it is also disease-resistant. Harvest begins in early September to October in colder climates.

Grapevine ‘Aperina Bianca’ is another hybrid variety described as “seedless”, also well suited to cold climates.

Grapevine 'Italia'

Grapevine ‘Italia’ is a vigorous late-ripening variety. It produces pale yellow to amber-yellow fruits with a slightly muscat flavour. Harvest takes place in October. It is winter-hardy and will grow well in northern gardens in a sunny position sheltered from strong winds.

To find out more

Discover our other advice sheets dedicated to grapevine:

• Grapevine: choose the right variety
• How to take a grapevine cutting?
• Grow a grapevine in a pot
• Training a grapevine against a wall
• How to prune grapevine?
• Grapevine disease