Couston N
Name of the variety in France

Couston
Origin

This variety comes from a natural sowing discovered by Mr. Julien Couston in the beginning of the 1970's in the French department of Ardèche. Based on genetic analyses carried out in Montpellier, this variety would be the result of the crossbreeding between Grenache and Aubun.
Synonyms

There is no officially recognized synonym in France nor in the other countries of the European Union, for this variety.
Legal information

In France, Couston is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified.
Use

Wine grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France

2018 | |
---|---|
ha | 13.4 |
Descriptive elements

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves,
- the circular or wedge-shaped adult leaves, entire or with three lobes, with an open U-shaped petiole sinus, with sometimes a tooth inside the petiole sinus, small to medium teeth with straight sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, a twisted involute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, no or a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the ellipsoid berries.
- the tip of the young shoot with a low density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves,
- the circular or wedge-shaped adult leaves, entire or with three lobes, with an open U-shaped petiole sinus, with sometimes a tooth inside the petiole sinus, small to medium teeth with straight sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, a twisted involute leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, no or a very low density of erect and prostrate hairs,
- the ellipsoid berries.
Genetic profile

Microsatellite | VVS2 | VVMD5 | VVMD7 | VVMD27 | VRZAG62 | VRZAG79 | VVMD25 | VVMD28 | VVMD32 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allel 1 | 131 | 229 | 239 | 176 | 188 | 252 | 240 | 243 | 239 |
Allel 2 | 143 | 238 | 257 | 191 | 194 | 258 | 240 | 257 | 261 |
Phenology

Bud burst: 3 days before Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks and a half after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 3 weeks and a half after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production

Couston is vigorous, fertile, with a semi-erect bearing and is well adapted to short pruning. In drying climatic conditions, berries are susceptible to shrivelling as maturity approaches.
Susceptibility to diseases and pests

Couston is susceptible to downy mildew and not very sensitive to grey rot.
Technological potentiality

Couston's bunches are medium in size and moderately compact. The berries are also medium in size. The sugar accumulation potential is very high. Couston produces full-bodied, very tannic, very warm and very colored wines.
Clonal selection in France

The only certified Couston clone carries the number 1129.
Bibliographic references


- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
Description of clones certified in France
