It is also grown in California and Oregon. It is said that Concord was the first native grape to be cross-pollinated with European stock to produce hybrid vines.Ĭoncord is widely grown in the northeastern part of the United States. To many winemakers in cold climate areas, this is a consistently successful equation for a steady source of grapes for wine.Īfter seven years of hybrid research of native vines, Ephraim Wales Bull of Concord, Massachusetts (near Boston) released the Concord grape vine for sale in 1854. Known for its ability to withstand harsh winter conditions, Concord is a vigorous producing vine that can live for many years. Many slip-skin grape varieties contain two to four seeds. A slip-skin is described as the colored, outer portion of the grape known as the skin that separates readily from the inner portion, which consists of the pulp and seeds. It is interesting to note that slip-skin grapes are known to grow in every state in the United States except Alaska. Personally, I hope I am never close enough to a skunk to experience the smell of its fur or any odor emitted from the animal! Some sources refer to the Concord aroma as smelling like the fur of a fox or skunk. Some say it is because these animals used the wild grapes as a source of food and were often spotted near the vines. Why the name, fox or skunk grape? Lots of tales (or tails - sorry, but the urge to make this pun is irresistible) surround the origin of these names. It is also referred to as a slip-skin grape, the fox grape or skunk grape. Known as a Native American grape, Concord is a member of the Vitis labrusca grape family. Some even go so far as to describe the aroma as foxy. It has been described as having a grapey, musky, may blossom, soda-popish aroma and flavor. The juice can be a dark purple or reddish color, depending on the duration that it is in contact with the skins. Many families look forward to picking these grapes each year to make homemade Concord pies, grape jam, jelly and estate-made wine.Ĭoncord grapes are a dark bluish-purplish color. Over 300,000 tons of Concord grapes are destined each year for the consumer as table grapes or unfermented grape juice found in the juice aisle or frozen juice section of the supermarket.Ĭoncord is also grown extensively as a backyard garden grape. It may have been the first sip of wine to pass the lips of many beginner wine drinkers. Just about everyone, wine consumer and abstainer alike, knows the name Concord.
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