The red grape variety is an interspecific new breeding between Jaeger 70 (Munson) x unknown Vitis vinifera. Synonyms are Contassot 20, Couderc 71-20 and Plant Verni. Genes of Vitis lincecumii, Vitis rupestris and Vitis vinifera are included. The hybrid was discovered by Eugène Contassot at the end of the 19th century and was given to the vine grower Georges Couderc (1850-1928), who selected and bred it. It was later named in honour of Georges Couderc. The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to both types of mildew, but susceptible to chlorosis. It produces alcohol-rich, dark-coloured red wines with a pronounced aroma of currants (cassis). At the beginning of the 20th century, it was widespread in France, and in the 1950s it covered around 27,000 hectares of vineyards. Then it was grubbed up because of its aggressive taste. The stock has shrunk to 198 hectares in France. However, it is very popular in Brazil, where it occupies 2,136 hectares. A small population is also said to exist in the US state of Missouri. In 2016, a total of 2,136 hectares of vineyard area were reported with a downward trend (statistics Kym Anderson).
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden