Vitis 'Montreal Blue' - 'Montreal Blue' Grape

Discover the 'Montreal Blue' Grape, an extremely hardy table grape variety that will charm you with its productivity and delicious fruit! This vigorous vine produces large, dark blue to black berries, seedless (or with very small, imperceptible seeds), with a sweet and fruity flavour. Ideal for fresh eating, juices, or jellies, 'Montreal Blue' is an excellent choice for northern climates, bringing a gourmet touch to your garden.

Harvest: Production & Flavours

The 'Montreal Blue' Grape is recognized for its good yield and ability to produce generous clusters. Its fruits ripen mid to late season, offering a pleasant flavour for various uses.

• Harvest Period: Late September - Early October
• Visual Description: Large, round to oval berries, very dark blue to black in colour, with thin skin. Most are seedless, or have very small, tender seeds.
• Flavour Profile: Sweet and fruity, with pleasant aromas and juicy flesh. The absence of seeds makes it easy to eat.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, making homemade grape juice, jellies, or for drying as a snack.

Planting Guide

To ensure the success of your 'Montreal Blue' Grape, follow these key steps:

1. Ideal Location: Plant your 'Montreal Blue' in full sun to optimize grape production and ripening. A sturdy support like a trellis, pergola, or fence is essential to guide its vigorous growth.
2. Soil Preparation: This grape vine prefers well-drained, deep, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0). Generously amend with compost before planting.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill with your amended soil mix and gently tamp down. Space plants approximately 2.5 to 3.5 metres (8 to 12 feet) apart to account for its vigour.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Self-fertile. The 'Montreal Blue' Grape does not require another grape variety to produce fruit.
   • Suggested Partners: No partners are necessary.

Care Guide

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the first year of establishment. Once well-established, this vine tolerates dry periods better, but regular watering during fruiting is beneficial for fruit quality.
• Fertilization: In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer or one specific to grapevines. An annual application of compost around the base of the plants is also very beneficial.
• Pruning: Rigorous annual pruning is essential to control its vigorous growth and promote production. Perform dormant pruning (late winter/early spring) to structure the plant and prune for fruiting. Summer pruning can be done to manage its canopy.
• Protection:
  • Against Birds: Grapes are highly appealing to birds; bird netting is strongly recommended as harvest approaches to protect your clusters.
  • Winter Protection: Thanks to its very good hardiness (Zone 3), the 'Montreal Blue' Grape generally does not require additional winter protection.