Chenibec

Grapevine

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Adalmiina'

Summary: When 50% of the plants are at bud burst, the young shoot tip of 'Chenibec' is closed whereas the tip of 'Adalmiina' is slightly open. The dorsal and ventral sides of the internodes on the middle third of the shoot are green and red on 'Chenibec' whereas they are green on 'Adalmiina'. The prostrate hairs between the main veins on the lower side of the young leaf blade of 'Chenibec' are absent or very sparse to sparse whereas they are dense on 'Adalmiina'. The mature leaf blade of 'Chenibec' is circular and has five lobes whereas the mature leaf blade of 'Adalmiina' is wedge-shaped and has three lobes. For 'Chenibec', the lobes of the upper lateral sinuses are closed to slightly overlapping whereas the lobes are open for 'Adalmiina'. The upper lateral sinuses of the mature leaf are deep on 'Chenibec' whereas they are of shallow to medium depth on 'Adalmiina'. At the margin of the mature leaves, both sides of the teeth are straight for 'Chenibec' whereas both sides of the teeth are concave on 'Adalmiina'. The prostrate hairs between the main veins on the lower side of the mature leaf blade of 'Chenibec' are sparse whereas they are dense on 'Adalmiina'. The peduncle of the primary bunch of berries is of medium length for 'Chenibec' whereas it is long for 'Adalmiina'. 'Chenibec' has large to very large berries whereas 'Adalmiina' has medium to large berries. The berry of 'Chenibec' has a fruity flavour whereas the berry of 'Adalmiina' has a muscat flavour.

Description:

YOUNG SHOOT TIP: closed, absent or very sparse prostrate hairs, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of prostrate hairs, absent or very sparse erect hairs
SHOOT (MIDDLE THIRD): dorsal and ventral side of internodes are green and red, dorsal and ventral side of nodes are green, absent or very sparse to sparse erect hairs on internodes, semi-erect to horizontal attitude (before tying)
WOODY SHOOT: orange brown, time of bud burst is late season
TENDRIL: long to very long

YOUNG LEAF BLADE: yellow green to green upper side, absent or very sparse to sparse prostrate hairs between main veins on lower side, absent or very sparse to sparse erect hairs between main veins on lower side
MATURE LEAF: large blade, circular, five lobes, absent or very weak blistering on upper side, deep upper lateral sinuses, closed to slightly overlapping arrangement of lobes of upper lateral sinuses, arrangement of lobes of petiole sinus wide open, petiole is moderately shorter than to equal to length of middle vein
MATURE LEAF (UPPER SIDE): absent or very low proportion of main veins with anthocyanin colouration
MATURE LEAF (LOWER SIDE): sparse prostrate hairs between main veins, sparse erect hairs on main veins
TEETH OF MATURE LEAF MARGIN: medium to long, medium length to width ratio, both sides straight

FLOWER: fully developed stamens and fully developed gynoecium present

BERRY BUNCH: large, dense, peduncle of primary bunch is medium length, distinct shoulder (triangular shape)
BERRY: begins ripening late season, large to very large, globose shape, difficult to moderately easy to detach from pedicel, particular flavour is fruity, complete formation of seeds
BERRY SKIN: yellow green to yellow (without bloom), thin to medium thickness
BERRY FLESH: moderately firm, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

Origin & Breeding History: 'Chenibec' originated from a cross made in 1990 by Ronald Juneau as part of a private breeding program in the county of Portneuf, Quebec between the varieties E.S.2-3-17, as the female parent, and 'Chenin blanc', as the male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'Chenibec' was selected in 1998 based on its branched growth habit, large flowers, vigour, an ability to flower in short days, the reliability of propagation by cuttings, the stability of its cuttings as well as for its winemaking characteristics. Observations were done until 2008.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Chenibec' was conducted during the growing season of 2018 in the county of Portneuf, Quebec. The trial was planted in 2008 and the vines were not grafted onto rootstocks. The trial consisted of a single row of seven 'Chenibec' vines grown adjacent to a single row of eight 'Adalmiina' vines. All vines were spaced 1.5 metres apart between the rows and individual plants. Due to the cool temperatures in the region, the vines were pruned in a globular shape so that more bunches would be produced closer to the ground. These vines have produced berries since 2014. Observations and measurements were taken from 5 plants. Measurements were taken from 5 plants, or parts of these 5 plants while observations were made on 10 parts of these plants, 2 observations per plant.

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Grapevine: 'Chenibec' (left) with reference variety 'Adalmiina' (right)