Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Bianca is a Hungarian white wine grape bred in Eger in 1963 by József Csizmazia and László Bereznai, who crossed a Seyve-Villard hybrid (Eger 2) with Bouvier. It was registered in 1982 and is now the most widely planted variety in the Kunság district, and it is also grown in Russia and elsewhere. Its downy mildew resistance comes from its American-hybrid parent. The bunches are small and loose, with small yellow-green berries that turn very sweet when fully ripe.
Characteristics
White (yellow-green) wine grape, also eaten fresh; small, loose bunches of about 90 to 120 g; small round to slightly oval berries; thin skin; juicy, sweet flesh with a light spicy note; early ripening (early September); vigorous; bisexual flowers; good resistance to downy and powdery mildew; good winter hardiness; interspecific hybrid
Growing Tips
Bianca is one of the easiest wine grapes for a low-spray garden: its resistance to downy and powdery mildew is good, and it stands cold winters well. The vines grow strongly, so thin the shoots in early summer. Small bunches make picking slow. Taste often near harvest, because overripe grapes lose acidity and aroma quickly, which matters if you make wine.