Vitis vinifera Marechal Foch - Wine and dessert grape

A table or wine variety, the 'Maréchal Foch' grapevine produces cylindrical and well-filled clusters of small, spherical, blue-black berries with white-pink, juicy flesh. They can be consumed fresh or used to make juice. Their flavour is sweet and reminiscent of red berries. The harvest takes place from the end of August to September. This productive and cold-resistant variety is also resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew and phylloxera.

From the Vitaceae family, Vitis vinifera grew wild more than 5000 years ago. Over the centuries, many hybrids have been developed, improving the flavour and disease resistance of grape varieties. The 'Maréchal Foch' grapevine was created in 1911 by the Alsatian viticulturist and industrialist Eugène Kuhlmann. It is the result of cross-breeding 3 species of grapevine: Vitis vinifera (Goldriesling variety, a white grape from Alsace), Vitis riparia, and V. rupestris, the last two being American species. This grape variety can still be found in Canada, especially in Quebec, the northeastern United States, and the Netherlands. 

A climbing shrub, the 'Maréchal Foch' grapevine can reach up to 3m in height; its final shape will depend on the pruning. The vine naturally clings to its support (trellis, espalier, pergola...) thanks to its tendrils and thrives in sunny locations. It requires careful pruning. It is a disease-resistant variety that can withstand winter cold and is used for wine production, juice, or as a table grape. It is productive, providing medium-sized, compact clusters. The berries are small and round, with thin, dark blue skin. The flesh is white-pink, with seeds, juicy, and especially very sweet. The flavour is reminiscent of blueberries or blackcurrants, quite similar to strawberry grapes. The clusters are harvested between late August and September, depending on the region. Its green foliage takes on fiery hues in autumn. In May, it produces discreet flower clusters.

In addition to being hardy to -30°C, this disease-resistant vine rarely needs treatments and is perfectly suited to organic gardens and permaculture. The 'Maréchal Foch' grapes are mainly used as table grapes or for making juice, either alone or combined with other varieties or fruits. Why not plant a white grape variety like Phoenix next to it, with a muscat aroma? Consider adding pomegranate, which will bring a tangy touch to your grape juice, with the Provence pomegranate tree (Punica granatum Provence).