Montefiore
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Montefiore is extensively grown in Missouri and the Southwest but is
almost unknown in the North and East. It is reported as succeeding in
the Lake District of Ohio and, with the exception that it is uncertain
in bearing and not always productive, it grows well in sections of New
York. While it is essentially a wine-grape, yet it is pleasing in
taste and texture of fruit and is far bet
er in quality than many of
the coarser Labruscas commonly cultivated. It keeps and ships well
and presents an attractive appearance. Jacob Rommel, Morrison,
Missouri, grew this variety about 1875 from seed of Taylor fertilized
by Ives.
Vine vigorous and hardy. Canes long, thick, dark brown with thin
bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long; tendrils
continuous, long, bifid. Leaves thick; upper surface light green,
dull, smooth; lower surface grayish-white, pubescent; lobes three
when present with terminus acute; petiolar sinus wide; basal sinus
lacking; lateral sinus shallow when present; teeth deep. Flowers
semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters small, short, tapering,
single-shouldered, the shoulder being connected to the bunch by a
long stem, compact; pedicel short, slender, smooth; brush red.
Berries small, oval, often compressed, black, glossy with abundant
bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tough, adherent, astringent;
flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, melting,
vinous, sweet; fair to good. Seeds free, one to five, small,
broad, faintly notched, short, plump, brown.