Marquette

Grapevine

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Frontenac'

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration on the young shoot tip of 'Marquette' is of medium intensity and uniformly distributed whereas that of 'Frontenac' is of weak intensity and distributed in a striped pattern. 'Marquette' has medium to long tendrils whereas those of 'Frontenac' are short to medium in length. The erect hairs on the main veins of the young leaf of 'Marquette' are sparse to medium dense whereas the erect hairs of 'Frontenac' are absent. The mature leaf blade of 'Marquette' is cordate to wedge-shaped with either no lobes or three lobes whereas the mature leaf blade of 'Frontenac' is pentagonal in shape with either three or five lobes. The erect hairs between the veins on the lower side and on the main veins on the upper and lower sides of the mature leaf are sparse for 'Marquette' whereas the erect hairs of 'Frontenac' are absent. The petiole sinus of 'Marquette' is slightly open with a v-shaped base whereas the petiole sinus is very open with a u-shaped base for 'Frontenac'. The fruit cluster of 'Marquette' is short with a high density of berries whereas that of 'Frontenac' is medium in length with a medium density of berries. The weight of the fruit cluster of 'Marquette' is very low whereas the weight of the fruit cluster of 'Frontenac' is low. 'Marquette' has few berries per cluster whereas 'Frontenac' has a medium number of berries per cluster. The berries of 'Marquette' start to ripen mid-season whereas the berries of 'Frontenac' ripen late in the season.

Description:

PLANT: hardy to extremely hardy winter survival

YOUNG SHOOT TIP: enclosed by small leaves, medium intensity of uniformly distributed anthocyanin colouration, very sparse to sparse prostrate and erect hairs
SHOOT: dorsal side of nodes and internodes are green, ventral side of nodes and internodes are red, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of buds, erect to semi-erect attitude
WOODY SHOOTS: circular in cross-section, striate surface, yellowish brown, no lenticels, absent or very sparse erect hairs on nodes and internodes, time of bud burst is mid-season
TENDRILS: subcontinuous or continuous distribution, medium to long

YOUNG LEAF: upper side is light copper-red, absent to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse prostrate and erect hairs between the veins, sparse prostrate hairs on main veins, sparse to medium erect hairs on main veins
MATURE LEAF: medium length, cordate to wedge-shaped, no lobes or three lobes, medium green upper side, flat in profile, absent or very weak blistering on upper side, no goffering on upper side between secondary and tertiary veins, no undulation of leaf blade between main and lateral veins, length to width ratio of teeth is medium, both sides of teeth are rectilinear, slightly open petiole sinus, v-shaped base of petiole sinus, upper leaf sinus is open, base of upper leaf sinus is u-shaped, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the main veins on upper and lower sides, absent to very sparse prostrate hairs between veins and on main veins on lower side, sparse erect hairs between veins on lower side and on main veins on upper and lower sides, medium to long petiole, absent or very sparse prostrate and erect hairs on petiole

FLOWER: hermaphrodite type

FRUIT CLUSTER: short, high density of berries (berries not readily movable), very low weight, few berries per cluster, short to medium length peduncle, medium lignification of peduncle
BERRY: begin ripening mid-season, short, very low to low weight, uniform size, roundish, circular in cross-section, pigmented juice, neutral flavour, very short pedicel, easy separation from pedicel
BERRY SKIN: blue-black, uniform colour, medium bloom, thin
BERRY FLESH: coloured, juicy, medium firmness
SEEDS: hilum visible, fully developed

Origin & Breeding History: 'Marquette' originated from a controlled cross conducted in 1989 between 'MN1094' and 'Ravat 262' as part of a grape breeding program at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Centre located near Excelsior, Minnesota, USA. The initial seedling of 'Marquette' was selected in 1997 based on its well-branched habit, large flowers and flowering under short days. Additional selection criteria included vigour, reliable cutting propagation, cutting stability, cold hardiness and wine quality.

Tests & Trials: The trial for 'Marquette' was conducted in a production vineyard in St. Paul d'Abbotsford, Quebec in 2013. A total of thirty-five vines per variety were planted in 2007. The vines were spaced 1.2 metres apart within a row with spacing of 2.5 metres between rows. The vines began producing fruit in 2010. Ten vines of each variety were examined.

Comparison tables for 'Marquette' with reference variety 'Frontenac'

Cluster length (cm)

Cluster weight (grams)

Berries per cluster (count)

Click on image for larger view

Grapevine: 'Marquette' (left) with reference variety 'Frontenac' (right).