Narrative
Per Galet (see citation): "Origin: Obtained in 1888, this variety was not in fact put on the market until later because Couderc thought the 157-11 would be more successful. According to J.M. Guillon (1898), it is the only riparia X Berlandieri. Description: Growing tip: downy, white with rose margin, shepherd's crook. Young leaves: cobwebby, copper. Leaf: large, cuneiform, 146-3-13; slightly three lobed, 11, with the terminal teeth of L2 and L3 turned upward; finely bullate and mildly wavy between the veins like Riparia Gloire, veins pink near the petiol; petiolar sinus open nearly a U and often naked at the base; teeth medium, convex; lower surface very pubescent as are the petioles and veins. Flower cluster: female; small clusters with very small, round, black berries. Shoot: pubescent, especially at the nodes; nodes purple and dull except at the tip where they remain green. Cane: finely ribbed with long internodes, pubescent mostly at the odes; bark reddish-brown to yellowish brown darker at the nodes; buds small, pointed; tendrils bifurcate, always very developed. Aptitudes:...161-49 Couderc has an excellent resistance to phylloxera. However, it is susceptible to nematodes. Its ressitance to lime is high (25 percent); in the Champagne district this resistance appears to be better with Chardonnay than with the Pinots. The scion varieties are fruitful, but may lack vigor. It is not recommended in drought conditions. The principal fault of 161-49 C in dry conditions is its susceptibility to thyllosis (blockage of sap flow), which causes the leaves to wilt suddently in May or June. Also there have been cases of incompatibility with the scion variety. Its rooting ability is only average..." Per Pongracz ( see citation): "Description: Tip of the growing shoot slightly curved, small, flat, ovoid, half-enclosed by the developing leaves, which are crimson on the edges, downy. Young leaf folded, shiny reddish-brown, downy on the upper surface. Fully-grown leaf large..."