Beaumont Grapes

Beaumont. (Headlight x Open Pollinated). Bred by the late private breeder Byron T. Johnson at Cincinnati, Ohio. This red fruited grandchild of Delaware resembles it's famous ancestor though it's clusters and berries are smaller. Mr. Johnson said it would make a white wine with a character resembling Gewurztraminer, though I have no confirmation of that. Mr. Johnson selected his varieties from among seedlings that survived going untreated for disease, so Beaumont is a healthy grape. While very vigorous, the vine has to be pruned differently from any other grape I have seen. According to Mr. Johnson, it is most productive when pruned to long spurs of five buds each, which are more like small canes. Shorter spurs or longer canes are less productive. Hardy to about -20oF, possibly a bit colder.