Grein Golden
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Grein Golden is very similar to Riesling, but the vine is much
stronger in growth. For a variety of the Taylor group, both cluster
and berry are large and uniform, which, with the attractive color of
the berries, make it a most handsome fruit. The flavor, however, is
not at all pleasing, being an unusual commingling of sweetness and
acidity very disagreeable to most palates. The qualit
of the fruit
condemns it for table use, although it is said to make a very good
white wine. Nicholas Grein, Hermann, Missouri, first grew Grein Golden
about 1875.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, slender,
dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long;
tendrils intermittent, trifid or bifid. Leaves large, thick; upper
surface dark green, dull, smooth; lower surface pale green,
lightly pubescent; lobes lacking or one to three with terminus
acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow; basal sinus usually lacking;
lateral sinus shallow, wide, obscure; teeth deep. Flowers
self-sterile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season. Clusters large, long, broad, tapering,
irregular, often heavily single-shouldered, loose; pedicel with a
few inconspicuous warts; brush slender, pale green. Berries
uniform in size, large, round, golden yellow, glossy with thin
bloom, persistent; skin very thin, tender; flesh green,
translucent, very juicy, tender, vinous; good. Seeds free, one to
four, broad, plump, light brown.