Grape Families

All grape varieties fall into families or species, sort of like a social class system. The upper class or aristocracy is Vitis vinifera. Most, like Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet, are European, have a long history and make the best wine. Hybrids are the middle class. These crosses of native North American vines and vinifera were created to be hardier and higher yielding. Such varieties as Seyval Blanc, Vidal and Marechal Foch produce less elegant and shorter lived wines than vinifera. Considered the lower class, Vitis labrusca were found growing naturally in this part of the world. Varietals like Concord, Delaware and Niagara, although not great for wine, make great jams, jellies and grape juice.