viticultural information - uc integrated viticulture online

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3/31/2014 Viticultural Information - UC Integ rated Viticulture Online

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Viticultural Information

Subject Zante Currant

Description

Species:Vitis vinifera

Country of origin:Greece

Berry color:Black

Use(s):Raisin

The "currant" is one of the oldest raisins known (the term curra

is used to describe its small berry size, but it is a true grape [Vi

vinifera] and not a member of the Ribesspecies). As early as th

year 75 A.D., Pliny writes of a tiny Greek grape, thin-skinned,

juicy, and sweet, and with bunches exceedingly small. It then

dropped out of written history until the eleventh century, when

trade of this type of raisin between the Greek producers and the

Venetians was recorded. From 1334 to 1377 they were reported

Reysyns de Corauntz in the English markets, and the name raisin

of Corinth was used in the 1500s. The name currant gradually

evolved from Corinth, the name of the port whence the early

supplies of this fruit reached western Europe. However, by the

early 1700s the trade in currants shifted toward the Ionian Islan

of Greece, notably Zante - hence, the traditional commercial na

for this variety, 'Zante Currant.'

'Black Corinth' is considered the most correct name in the Englis

literature. Blackdifferentiates it from similar white- and red-fruit

grape varieties, 'White Corinth' and 'Red (Rose) Corinth.' Synony

University of CaliforniaUC Integrated Viticulture




include Corinthe noir(France), Raisin de Corinthe(Greece), andPassolinaand Passerina(Italy).

Early introductions of 'Black Corinth' into the United States date

back to 1854, but at first without successful distribution or

establishment in California. In 1861, Colonel Agoston Haraszthy

imported 'White Corinth' and 'Red Corinth' varieties, and small

though not commercially important plantings were established in

different parts of California. The successful introduction and

commercialization of 'Black Corinth' came with cuttings imported 1901 by USDA. USDA's agricultural explorer David Fairchild had

purchased the cuttings from the Greek village of Panariti, noted

its production of quality 'Black Corinth' raisins. Interest in the

variety was slow to develop, however, due both to limited

knowledge of its culture and to the popularity of 'Thompson

Seedless.' Acerage finally expanded significantly during the 1920

and 1930s in response to comparatively higher prices for 'Black

Corinth' raisins and the adoption of improved fruit set and berry

size. By 1936, plantings had reached 2,951 acres (1,194 ha),

approximately its present level.

'Black Corinth' raisins are used mostly for cooking and bakingbecause of their small size and tender skin. The fresh grapes are

occasionally used by wineries for blending and color, depending

need and availability, such as during winery crush shortages and

the 'Black Corinth' raisin surpluses of the 1970s and 1990s. They

are also shipped fresh as 'Black Corinth' grapes for use as a

culinary and beverage garnish.

People Pete Christensen

Matthew Fidelibus

William Peacock

Links Foundation Plant Servicesat UC Davis is the source of Foundati

grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can

provide information about possible sources for obtaining this sto

The National Grape Registry (NGR)contains information about

varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape

rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries,

winemakers and researchers can find background information an

source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenie

location.

Publications Christensen, L.P. 2000. Raisin Grape Varieties(PDF). Pages 38-4

in: Raisin Production Manual. University of California, Agricultura

and Natural Resources Publicat ion 3393, Oakland, CA. Buy book

NGR Match Black Corinth

This website is a work in progress of the University of California (UC ) Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (A NR)

Integrated Grape Production Workgroup. It is des igned to increase acc ess ability to the work of UC researchers, including facu

C ooperative Extension (CE ) specialis ts, CE advisors , and staff. UC Resea rchers interested in contributing content are invited
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/InOrder/Shop/ItemDetails.asp?ItemNo=3393http://iv.ucdavis.edu/files/24430.pdfhttp://ngr.ucdavis.edu/http://fps.ucdavis.edu/http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/seeker/[email protected]://ucce.ucdavis.edu/seeker/[email protected]://ucce.ucdavis.edu/seeker/[email protected]




contact Deborah Golino [email protected] discus s pos sible contributions.

Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California

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