Monday, January 12, 2015

Cabernet Franc Clones

When my husband did the research to find the best clones of Cabernet Franc to plant in our vineyard the first thing he did was to consult the Foundation Plant Services (FPS) to see the list of available clones. In order to be registered at the Foundation Plant Services, all clones undergo microshoot tip tissue culture therapy in order to ensure that the vines do not contain the viruses that can be tested for. He also consulted the National Grape Registry for more specific information on the various clones.
The table lists information that I retrieved from both sources as well as information specific to the U.S. East Coast that might be appropriate for us here in southeastern Connecticut.
Clone Type
Attributes
FPS 01 High yielding compared to clones developed in Europe (Montpellier Olmo Selection); wine can be charming in very warm vintages, otherwise lacking in depth
FPS 03 Comes from Conegliano, Italy, also known as ISV1
FPS 04 Generic French clone 332
FPS 04.10.1 Same as Cabernet Franc 04 vines but tested for the 2010 Protocol diseases and qualified for the new Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard, where the selection was planted in 2011 as Cabernet franc 04.1.
FPS 05 Generic French clone 331
FPS 09 A Rauscedo selection also known as VCR10
FPS 11 Generic French clone 214
FPS 11 Generic French clone 214; same as FPS 11 but material underwent microshoot tip tissue culture therapy at FPS in 1996 and again in 2012 to qualify for the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard.
FPS 12 Generic French clone 327
FPS 13 Generic French clone 312
FPS 13.10.1 Same as Cabernet franc 13 vines but also underwent successful testing under the 2010 Protocol and qualified for the new Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyard, where it was planted in 2011
FPS 14 Niebaum clone via Hyde vineyards (Larry Hyde), Carneros region, Napa County, California
FPS 15 Vincent #1 clone; a donation from an anonymous, well-respected producer of French wine near Bordeaux, France
ENTAV-INRA 214 Highest rating; characterized by raspberry and violet flavors in France; a high performance warm vintage clone with dark fruit flavors, tannin structure and less green, herbal flavors
ENTAV-INRA 327 Released in 1975; highest rating; like 326 produces structured and powerful wines; weaker of the two ENTAV clones, higher acid, brighter fruit, tends to be more herbaceous towards dill, muddy flavors
ENTAV-INRA 394 Authorized clone from ENTAV in France
ENTAV-INRA 395 Authorized clone from ENTAV in France
ENTAV-INRA 623 Medium to high rating; produces very elegant wines
The clones recommended for planting in our area included ENTAV-INRA 214, ENTAV-INRA 327 and ENTAV-INRA 623. We chose clones ENTAV-INRA 214 and 327 from our nursery, Mercier Grapevine Nursery. We are going to be busy in 2016!
References:
1. Anthony Hanson, MW, A Fresh Look at Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux, The World of Fine Wine, Issue 28, 2010, from which the following articles were consulted:
Rhonda Smith, Cabernet Franc extracted from The Wine Grape Varieties in California.
Cabernet Franc extracted from A Concise Guide to Wine Grape Clones for Professionals, 2nd Edition by John Caldwell
2. Lucie Morton, Why are you here today?
3. Growing Cabernet Franc in the Mid-Atlantic is an excellent guide to growing Cabernet Franc written by Mark Chien and presented at the 2012 2012 Eastern Winery Exposition.

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