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Vine variety: Rondo (originally known as Gm 6494-5)
One of the new 'disease resistant' (disease-tolerant) hybrids. Country of origin: Czechoslovakia. During the 'cold war' the breeder Professor
V. Kraus gave some seeds to
Professor Helmut Becker (1927-1990) of Geisenheim, who realised the significance or this breeding
programme because of the high peronospora and winter-frost resistance of the
asiatic Vitis amurensis. Professor Becker then continued the development of
these 'amurensis' varieties of which Rondo is one. Wine Character - colour: dark ruby red, without blue nuances (so it can
be blended) Time of bud-burst: early-middle Strength of growth: medium-high, shoots tend to hang downwards Flowering time: very early Leaf: - size:
- shape: Grape bunch: - size:
- density: Time of veraison: very early Grape yield: medium-high Wood ripening: early and very good Chlorosis resistance: very high Preferred soil: any soils suitable for viticulture with good water supply.
Because of the early bud-burst it is important that vineyards should not be
prone to late spring frost. Normal stem height: Winter Pruning: 6 eyes/buds per sq. metre of land occupied by the plant. Always crops well, whether it is spur pruned or long cane pruned. Advantages: Very high quality full-bodied dark red wine. Can be grown on any site which is not prone to late spring frost. Consistently high yield and ripeness. A tribute to the life's work of Professor Becker. Disadvantages: In the UK in certain years (according to the weather) it can be attacked by wasps, as with all early ripening grape varieties (e.g. Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine). |