Alphonse Lavallée Vine - Vitis vinifera

The Alphonse Lavallée grape is an old, highly productive vine that produces a black, reasonably sweet grape that can be eaten fresh but is not very interesting for winemaking. A late variety, its berries are ready to be harvested towards the end of September. These large grapes have thick skins and keep well. While hardy and vigorous, this variety is also quite susceptible to mildew, powdery mildew, and excoriose. It is also prone to erinose, caused by a tiny mite.

The wine grape (Vitis vinifera) grew wild over 5000 years ago in North and Central America, Europe, and Central and Eastern Asia. The subspecies sylvestris still exists as a climber, growing on the edges of forests and capable of reaching great heights in trees. Its introduction to France for cultivation was done by the Phocaeans in Provence around 600 BC. The current varieties, called grape varieties in the case of the vine, are classified under the subspecies vinifera (although there are other cultivated species, but they are scarce). Economically, wine grapes predominate over table grapes, with over 200 authorised grape varieties, resulting from centuries of selection work.

Alphonse Lavallée, named after the founder of the Central School in Paris, is an ancient variety with an uncertain origin. It is believed to result from a natural cross between the Bellino grape and the Lady Downe's black seedling, discovered by a nurseryman from Orléans in 1860. However, according to some genetic analyses, it is thought to descend from a cross between Muscat de Hambourg and Gros Colman (or Dodrelyabi), a Caucasian grape variety. This variety leafs out six days after the Chasselas, a reference variety for the phenological stages of the vine. It is very vigorous and, has a horizontal or trailing habit, and is generally pruned short by professional growers. However, it can also be trained and pruned long, especially in gardens. It can reach a height of 4m (13ft) with a spread of about 3m (10ft) and cover a trellis or pergola. The young leaves are yellow and turn medium green later on, and at maturity, they are large with five slightly lobed leaflets. The foliage takes on beautiful autumn colours, starting with the edges and gradually spreading throughout the lamina.

It produces beautiful medium to large clusters in May-June, conical in shape and more or less loose. Like most grapes, it is self-fertile. The berries are enormous, about 25mm (1in) in diameter, generally spherical but somewhat irregular due to small bumps. Their thick skin is bluish-black with a surface bloom. A late variety, these berries are ready to be harvested in late September (or mid-September, depending on the region), three weeks after Chasselas. They have firm and sweet flesh can be eaten fresh, juiced, or used in salads, and have good keeping qualities.

In general, grapes are rich in B vitamins, a source of fibre and manganese, and they are also rich in antioxidants. They are believed to play a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, and most importantly, they are a healthy, natural, and delicious dessert.

To enjoy different flavours, plant a white grape variety like Perlette alongside it, which is seedless and has a slight muscat aroma. Or the Thornless Loch Ness Blackberry can be enjoyed fresh or cooked in desserts or jellies. Or one of the many varieties of Kiwi, a delicious and vitamin-rich fruit. And for contrasting colours, plant a unique climber nearby, the Golden Hop (Humulus lupulus Aureus), whose decorative foliage creates a magnificent scene when Alphonse Lavallée turns red in autumn. A great way to reconcile the worlds of wine and beer!