Plants

Gruner Veltliner is the most planted grape variety in Austria and is widely grown in eastern Europe, but too late-ripening for more northern regions. Wines are typically finished dry and are peppery or spicy.

In the early 1800s, Isabella was widely planted in the North Atlantic and New England States where Catawba could not reliably ripen, but it fell out of favor after Concord was introduced. Isabella can withstand tropical...

Rare, jet-black variety with loose, medium-sized clusters and berries. Can be used to make deep red wines, typically with strong foxy flavor and odor that can improve with time; still used in commercial juice production...

A full sibling of Himrod, Lakemont has milder flavor and more compact clusters with fairly small berries. Not as winter hardy as Himrod.

Landot Noir has both late bud break and early maturity, making it suitable for short-season climates. Makes a mild, fruity red wine used as a varietal or for blending.

Léon Millot is a sister of Marechal Foch, earlier-ripening and typically more productive. Wines are similar to those made from Foch with distinct berry aromas and are often blended with Foch.

Malbec was once popular in Bordeaux, but plantings have declined as it is susceptible to various viticultural hazards such as frost, coulure, and bunch rot. Known to require a milder climate than varieties such as Merlot...

Maréchal Foch is an early ripening black grape with small berries and clusters, often susceptible to bird predation. It can be made into a variety of wines ranging from light and fruity to full-bodied.

Marquette is rapidly becoming the most popular northern red grape variety. Typically maturing with high sugar content and moderate acidity, Marquette can produce complex wines with attractive ruby color and pronounced t...

Merlot is Bourdeaux's most planted grape variety, known for its smooth texture and outstanding varietal wines, but often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Earlier ripening than Cabernet Sauvignon, but not as winter hardy.

Mourvédre is Spain's second-leading red variety (after Grenache) and is also a popular variety in southern France, and has been grown in California since the 1870s. Mourvédre needs a very warm climate with long summers...

Nebbiolo is native to the Piedmont region in northern Italy where it produces the region's most distinguished wines, and some of Italy's best, long-lived wines.

New York Muscat produces reddish-black fruit with fine muscat flavor. Used for sweet muscat wines and as a dosage in champagne, its largest drawback is lack of winter hardiness.

Noiret produces an excellent full-bodied, richly colored wine. The wines can resemble Shiraz (Syrah) with a distinct black pepper character, moderate tannins, and notes of raspberry, blackberry and mint. Vines are vigoro...

Noiret produces an excellent full-bodied, richly colored wine. The wines can resemble Shiraz (Syrah) with a distinct black pepper character, moderate tannins, and notes of raspberry, blackberry and mint. Vines are vigoro...

Norton (also known as Cynthiana) is a V. labruscana x V. aestivalis hybrid with a long history in eastern US wine production, particularly in Missouri and Virginia. Norton produces small to medium clusters of firm, round...

Norton (also known as Cynthiana) is a V. labruscana x V. aestivalis hybrid with a long history in eastern US wine production, particularly in Missouri and Virginia. Norton produces small to medium clusters of firm, round...

Petit Manseng is a high quality wine grape with small, thick-skinned berries that yield little juice but can hang well.

Petit Verdot is one of the classic black Bordeaux varieties. It is known for high quality where it can fully ripen, which is later than that of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Petite Sirah became popular in France for its resistance to downy mildew but has since fallen from favor there, it is currently being planted on an experimental basis in many locations in the US.

Pinot Noir is the classic red Burgundy cultivar, it ripens best under cool, dry conditions and is best suited for cool but moderate climates. Wines are lower in tannins and pigments than the other great French wine varie...

Prairie Star is a vigorous vine that produces long, loose clusters, is moderately productive, and does not require cluster thinning. Prairie Star can produce wines that lack foxiness with good hybrid wine quality. Poor...

Regent is a relatively new German hybrid, mostly vinifera, with good fungal disease resistance. Regent wines can have intense color, high tannins, moderate acidity, and show aromas of cherry and black currant.

Reliance produces large clusters of round, red, medium-sized berries with tender skin non-adhering to flesh. Color is pink to red when fully mature with delicate Labrusca flavor and aroma, without noticeable seed traces...

Sabrevois is a sister variety of St. Croix with better winter hardiness. Sugar content is typically low and wines can have pleasant fruitiness lacking in body and tannins, so there is potential for blending with other c...