Grape Vroege van der Laan

One of the hardiest white grapes for cool climates, Dutch-bred Vitis vinifera Vroege van der Laan will fruit reliably in all but the coldest areas if planted against a warm south- or southwest-facing wall. It can also be grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel. A vigorous, fast-growing, deciduous vine (though compact for a grapevine) it has the usual attractive, green vine-leaves, colouring in autumn, and inconspicuous greenish flowers in summer. These are followed by greenish-white, very sweet, fruity grapes in autumn. The grapes can be used for wine-making or eaten as dessert grapes. Requires extensive pruning and training, best done as soon as the leaves have fallen and again in midsummer. Grape Vroege van der Laan is a tough and exceptionally reliable grape for the Irish climate, only fruiting poorly when the summer is a complete wash-out.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Very well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils, sandy, chalky or loamy
Position: Full sun
Pick: When softening and sweet
Keep: Grapes do not keep
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile
Uses: Wine-making and eating