New Winegrape Cultivars for Warm Growing Regions from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Renee Threlfall* and John Clark
*University of Arkansas, 2650 N. Young Ave, Fayetteville, AR,
72704
(rthrelf@uark.edu)
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has released four new cultivars (Vitis hybrid) of winegrapes that can be grown in warm regions. Opportunity (white) and Enchantment (red, teinturier) were released in 2016 and Indulgence (white) and Dazzle (white) were released in 2021. These cultivars have shown good adaptation, productivity, and winter hardiness in Arkansas. Opportunity is a cross of Cayuga × Ark. 1754 made in 1987, Enchantment is a cross of Ark. 1628 × Ark. 1481 made in 1990, Indulgence is a cross of Seyval × Muscat Ottonel made in 1989, and Dazzle is a cross of Gewürztraminer × Melody made in 1992. The average harvest date for these cultivars is mid- to late-August in Arkansas. Opportunity produced 11 kg/vine with 234 g clusters and 2.7 g berries. Enchantment produced 10 kg/vine with 178 g clusters and 1.5 g berries. Indulgence produced 17 kg/vine with 153 g clusters and 2.5 g berries. Dazzle produced 10 kg/vine with 162 g clusters and 1.9 g berries. The soluble solids (%), pH, and titratable acidities (% tartaric acid) at harvest was 17.3%, 3.5, and 0.5%, respectively, for Opportunity; 18.9%, 3.4, and 0.8%, respectively, for Enchantment; 16.9%, 3.3, and 0.64%, respectively, for Indulgence; and 19.9%, 3.3, and 0.7%, respectively, for Dazzle. The evaluations of the grape, juice, and wine showed that Opportunity had citrus, peach, and green apple attributes; Enchantment had smoky and cherry-like attributes; Indulgence had citrus, grapefruit, and muscat-like attributes; and Dazzle had floral and stone fruit attributes. Enological evaluations showed that these cultivars produced high-quality wines from fruit grown in Arkansas. These cultivars produced wines with unique and pleasant aroma and flavor characteristics that could provide new opportunities for grapegrowers and winemakers and can expand winegrape options for Arkansas and other warm growing regions.
Funding Support: none
