Grapes in United States

There are three broad classes of grapes that are grown in United States: Vitis lubrusca, Vitus vinifera and Vitis rotundifolia. Grapes are grown mainly in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.

Washington, Missouri, and Arkansas also produce same grapes. There are many varieties of grapes but there are predominant in this country. Grapes are utilized to produce unfermented grape juice, vinegar, wine, raisins, jams and jellies, and as the fresh product for table. Approximately 70 percent of the world’s grape production goes into wine.

Thompson seedless grapes are used in canned fruit cocktail. There is a direct relationship between the soluble solids content of the berries and the percentage of berries that develop internal browning.

Grapes can be produced on a number of different types of soils. Fertility is not as important as soil structure. Sandy or gravelly clay loams are most desired.

Grapes are planted as vines or cuttings from older plants. The cuttings produce arms bearing fruit, the greatest yields coming after 3 years of growth. Properly pruned and cared for, vines produce fruit for many years.
Grapes in United States