First
introduced into Canada in 1882, this widely planted cultivar
has berries with a light green colour and flesh. They produce
a floral, strongly flavoured juice with low acidity and high
yield potential. Bunch size is medium to large and is compact
and cylindrical in shape. Niagara grapes ripen in mid September
and are used for juice and fresh consumption. This vine has
large leaves with pubescent lower leaf surfaces and is reasonably
cold hardy for Ontario.
Concord
The Concord
grape originated in 1854 and was discovered by E.W. Bull.
The berries have a heavy wax bloom with blue skin and pale
green flesh. Berry and bunch size is medium with a somewhat
compact conical cluster shape. The Concord’s skin is
reasonably durable and separates easily from its pulpy flesh.
This cultivar is vigourous in growth and the fruit ripens
from late September to early October. Its primary use is for
juice and jam/jelly preserves, and for fresh market consumption.
Many years ago, the Concord was used in port wines but that
is no longer acceptable for premium wine production in Ontario.
This grape contains the material “methyl antranilate”
which is better known as the classic “labrusca flavour.”
It is highly aromatic, very cold hardy and widely adapted
to many soil types with the proper training system.
