The white grape variety is an interspecific new breeding between White Concord (Niagara White) x a pollen mixture of the two varieties Delaware and Walter. Synonyms are Duchess and Riesling de Caldas. Genes of Vitis aestivalis, Vitis labrusca and Vitis vinifera are included. The hybrid was crossed in 1868 in Poughkeepsie in the eponymous Dutchess County (US state of New York) by the breeder Andrew Jackson Caywood. The late-ripening vine is susceptible to botrytis, both types of powdery mildew and black spot disease. It yields white wines with subtle foxy and citrus aromas. The variety is also used as table grape. It is grown in the US state of New York (Finger Lakes), as well as in Canada (Ontario) and Brazil. However, no stocks were reported in 2016 (Kym Anderson statistics).
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien