Hybrid Franc
(Vinifera, Rupestris)
Hybrid Franc is the best-known cross between Rupestris and Vinifera.
It is one of the few varieties used in Europe as a resistant stock now
recommended for a direct producer. The vines are hardy, vigorous and
very productive. The fruit is fit only for wine or grape-juice, being
too acid to eat out of hand. The coloring matter in the fruit is very
intense and might be used in giving c
lor to grape products. The
variety is of French origin.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes numerous, thick, light
brown with blue bloom; nodes enlarged; internodes short; tendrils
intermittent, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves small, thin; upper
surface light green, glossy, smooth; lower surface green, hairy
along ribs and large veins; lobes three to five with terminal one
acute; petiolar sinus narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping;
lateral sinus a notch. Flowers semi-fertile, open early; stamens
upright.
Fruit mid-season, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size,
short, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel long,
slender with few small warts; brush short, wine-colored. Berries
small, oblate, black, glossy with thick bloom, persistent, firm;
skin thin, tender with very dark wine-colored pigment; flesh green
with reddish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender,
spicy, tart; fair in quality. Seeds free, one to five, small,
short, light brown.