Life Style / Wine Grapes / Chardonel: Recommended frost-hardy French-American hybrid cross released in 1990 and descended from the Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay varieties. Planting has been limited in the face of success with Chardonnay in the eastern and mid-west regions of the U.S. Noted for superior cold-resistant properties since its release from W. New York's Geneva Research Station. Requires good locations (low tolerance of poorly drained soils) with long growing season. Ripens later than its vinifera parent, usually early to mid-October. Used to make quite popular white tablewine in Arkansas, Michigan and Missouri. Recently found to be susceptible to crown gall in wet spots and, in Virginia, to damage by grape root borers.
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