L'Acadie blanc was created in 1953 by Ollie Bradt at the Vineland Horticultural Research Station in Niagara, Ontario. The grape is a crossing the Seibel grape Cascade and the Villard grape Seyve-Villard 14-287, both bred by French horticulturalists. Cuttings of the new grape variety were sent to the Kentville research station (now known as the Kentville Research and Development Centre) in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Here the grape was given the name L'Acadie blanc after Acadia, the former New France colony that is now part of The Maritimes in eastern Canada.[1]
L'Acadie blanc is a complex hybrid with an extensive lineage that was mapped out by University of Guelph professor Helen Fisher. Within L'Acadie blanc's pedigree are members of several Vitis species including V. aestivalis, V. berlandieri, V. cinerea, V. labrusca, V. lincecumii, V. riparia, V. rupestris and V. vinifera. Some of the notable members of L'Acadie blanc's family tree include:[1][4]
Seyve-Villard 14-287, one of L'Acadie blanc's parent varieties, which itself is a complex hybrid crossing of the Seibel grape Seibel 6747 and Muscat du Moulin
L'Acadie blanc is a very cold hardy vine able to withstand temperatures as low as −22 °C (−8 °F) to −25 °C (−13 °F), making it much hardier than the more widely planted Seyval blanc. The vine is an early to mid-ripening grape that has to the potential to be very productive and high yielding if not kept in check by winter pruning and later seasonal green harvesting. L'Acadie blanc tends to produce loose bunches which gives it some protection towards the viticultural hazard of botrytis bunch rot.[1] There have been successes growing certified organically.
Wine regions
L'Acadie blanc is most widely planted in Nova Scotia where its cold hardiness is valued. Other plantings exist in north-central Ontario and Quebec where the grape's strong disease resistance makes it a promising planting. In Quebec some of the warmer southern regions of the province tend to produce styles lacking acidity while Québécois plantings in cooler areas have been increasing.[1]
Styles
While L'Acadie blanc is made in a varietal style it is often with other white grape varieties including Seyval blanc, Vandal-Cliche and Vidal blanc. Some wineries are producing traditional method sparkling styles. According to Master of WineJancis Robinson, varietal styles of L'Acadie blanc tend to be more full bodied than other Canadian whites with floral and honeyed aroma notes.[1]
Synonyms
As a relatively recently created hybrid, L'Acadie blanc does not have many synonyms with only Acadie, L'Acadie, La'Cadie, L. Acadie blanc, V 53261 and Vineland 53261 generally recognized.[1][5]
References
^ abcdefghJ. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours pgs 197, 523 Allen Lane 2012 ISBN978-1-846-14446-2
^Mark DeWolf "Defining L’Acadie" Appellation America, Accessed: June 15th, 2013