Grapevine Alphonse Lavallee - Red Dessert Grape, Late Ripening

Alphonse Lavallée (in French: Alphonse-lavallée) is a red table grape variety originating from France. The variety was bred around 1860. in Orléans (France) from open pollination, probably from the Ox Eye variety. Besides France, it is also grown in Italy, Portugal, Romania, California, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Turkey and Israel.   It is also known by the names: Plum Vine and Ribier.   A mid- to late-ripening variety. Its grapes ripen in the second half of September. The vines have medium to vigorous growth. The vines are attacked by fungal diseases and pests. They are sensitive to low winter temperatures. The variety is prone to poor fruit set and shot berries (millerandage). It performs best in warm areas with south-facing terrain and relatively rich soils. It responds positively to higher soil and air humidity.   The bunches are medium-sized (15.4/9 cm), moderately compact, cylindrical-conical, often with one or two wings. The average bunch weight is 280 g. The berries are large (21.3/19.6 mm), spherical or slightly oval, often flattened at the base, and sometimes with elongated depressions that make them ribbed. The texture is fleshy and crunchy, the flavour fruity, reminiscent of plum. The skin is thick, tender, dark blue, with an abundant waxy bloom. The average weight of one berry is 6.5 g.   Alphonse Lavallée is one of the best mid- to late-ripening red table varieties. The grapes accumulate sufficient sugars (17 – 18 %) with a moderate titratable acidity content (6.0 – 6.5 g/dm3). It withstands long transport and can be stored under controlled conditions.