Crystal

The origin of the white grape variety is not clear. It is said that it was introduced to China in 1965 by the Dongfeng Farm together with other grape varieties such as French Wild and Rose Honey. According to another hypothesis, it came from Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, but there is no proof of this. According to the Chinese ampelograph Qin Sun, it is a cross between Vitis vinifera x Vitis labrusca. However, this has not yet been confirmed by DNA analyses. Possibly it is identical with the US Labrusca variety from Connecticut of the same name, which is listed in the VIVC catalogue as a table grape. Incidentally, the VIVC catalogue also lists another table grape variety called Kristal (with the synonym Crystal) originating from South Africa.

The early ripening vine (from China) is well resistant to frost and vine diseases in general. It produces white wines with foxton (which speaks for Vitis labrusca genes) and rose-like aroma and is also used as a table grape. The variety is mainly cultivated in the southwestern province of Yunnan. In 2010, under the name Crystal, areas under cultivation were reported in Russia (171 ha), and overseas in Chile (2 ha) and Peru (2 ha), but no quantities were reported for China (statistics Kym Anderson). However, it is not clear which of the possibly different Crystal varieties are involved.

Source: Kym Anderson: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012

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