In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Origin of “Herbemont’s Madeira” Grape. February 1835 By 1833 Herbemont had allowed himself to become persuaded by the “grape lore” of Thomas McCall that the Herbemont grape had its origins in Europe. His observations told him that the American form of the grape had departed greatly from the European progenitor— whether through mutation, sporting, or the chance adaptation of a seed to the New World environment. But McCall was trading in hearsay. One ancestor of the American hybrid came from Europe, but it is doubtful that even current flavonoid analysis could unravel the grape’s genealogy beyond its current designation as a cross between Vitis aestivalis, cinarea, and vinifera. Published in Farmers’ Register 2, no. 10 (February 1835), 591. To the Editor of the Farmer’s Register. Since I wrote to answer your inquiry, I have learned a little more concerning the origin of the vine called “Herbemont’s Madeira.” It certainly has been received from France, under different names, and also from Madeira. It is most undoubtedly one of the most esteemed families of vines in Europe. In certain situations in this country, Charleston for example, it does most admirably well. It has been received from France by the names of “Muscat gris,”1 “Pineau,”2 and “Maurillon.”3 I have not yet been able to learn by what name it has been received from Madeira. It changes some of its character so much in this country, as scarcely to be known again—for here it grows to the size and vigor of our strongest native vines. The nomenclature of the vines is, in Europe, in such a chaotic state, that it would take the labors of at least twenty Hercules to clear it up. Now that this culture is fairly begun in this country, we should be very particular with our names; and confusion in nomenclature is frequently inextricable, at the same time that it is exceed1 . An Alsatian variety still used in grand cru wines from that region. 2. Pinot Gris. 3. Austrian name for Chardonnay. Herbemont’s point about the chaos of nomenclature in Europe is born out by the application of the names of three different varieties to his Madeira. 231 ingly disadvantageous to the cultivators. The names should be short, if possible, and unchanged after they have been adopted. I would suggest, for example, that the excellent kinds introduced by the names of “Norton’s Virginia Seedling,”4 and “Cunningham’s Prince Edward,” be simplified, by suppressing every thing but the names of the gentlemen entitled to the honor of naming them. n. herbemont 4. This recommendation was followed. The grape is now known simply as Norton. Origin of “Herbemont’s Madeira” (February 1835) ...

Share