Rommel
(Labrusca, Vulpina, Vinifera)
Rommel is rarely cultivated in the North, because the vines lack in
robustness, hardiness and productiveness and are susceptible to the
leaf-hopper; and the grapes do not attain high quality and crack as
they ripen. The bunch and berry are attractive in form, size and
color. At its best, Rommel is a good table-grape and makes a fine
white wine. It is worth growing in the Sout
. T. V. Munson, Denison,
Texas, originated Rommel in 1885, from seed of Elvira pollinated by
Triumph, and introduced it in 1889.
Vine vigorous in the South. Canes long, numerous, thick,
reddish-brown, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, often flattened;
internodes short; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid or trifid.
Leaves medium in size, round, thick; upper surface light green,
dull, rugose; lower surface pale green, free from pubescence but
slightly hairy; leaf not lobed, terminus acute to acuminate;
petiolar sinus deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal
sinus lacking; lateral sinus shallow when present; teeth deep.
Flowers semi-fertile, late; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, ships and keeps well. Clusters medium to short,
broad, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel slender,
smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries large, roundish, light
green with a yellow tinge, glossy, persistent, firm; skin thin,
cracks badly, tender, adherent, without pigment or astringency;
flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, tender, melting, stringy,
sweet; fair to good. Seeds free, one to four, broad,
sharp-pointed, plump, brown.