Super Glossary

Norton

Life Style / Wine Grapes / Norton: This well-known native N. American V.aestivalis cultivar, with the alias name Virginia Seedling, was thought to be derived by chance pollination involving the American aestivalis native species. A recent report notes that it was subsequently propagated in 1835 by D. N. Norton of Richmond, Virginia. Is mainly found in the warmer regions of the southeast U.S.. DNA analysis carried out in the early 1990's has shown that this cultivar is identical to the Cynthiana variety listed above. Substantial acreages are now grown in the State of Virginia, and Missouri where it has had over a century-long presence, that reportedly ripen in late September. The deeply pigmented, aromatic characteristics of the fully ripe fruit used to create this historically interesting full red wine are said to include coffee and spice-like flavor with little or no 'foxy' aroma providing problems with both high pH and high titratable acidity are appropriately addressed. Vines are tolerant of common fungal infestations and easily protected with fungicides. Reported to resist Pierce's Disease for extended periods. Planting in well-draining soils is required if rot is to be avoided. Notoriously difficult to propagate by the cuttings method, the vine is usually reproduced by using the layering method of burying a short length of a shoot until it sprouts and shows root growth from the buried section. At that point the short vine section that has sprouted is severed from the layered original shoots and replanted. It has been reported that the Norton1 clone does pair well with the 1103P rootstock in suitable locations. Foliar Magnesium spray application is recommended in Arkansas. Crops are best enhanced with high training, preferably Geneva Double Curtain. Birds find the small fruit very attractive.
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