Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States and have heavy vines and shallow roots. They are resistant to many insects and diseases and are used to make wines, juices, jams, and dietary supplements.
Muscadine grapes, Vitis Rotundifolia are abundant, thick fruit, native to the southeastern United States. Unlike accords and other traditional grapes, midges do not grow in large clusters. Clusters can have up to three grapes, and the grapes ripen and are harvested individually. Early explorers recorded finding an abundance of Muscadine grapes, where the fruit was popular with Native Americans. The cultivation of muscadines for winemaking began as early as the 16th century.
In the wild, muscadines can grow up to 30 meters in length. They have heavy vines and shallow roots and grow best in sandy, well-drained soil. The plants thrive in warm, humid climates and need plenty of sun. The leaves are round and glossy and can be five inches in diameter. Vines can be severely damaged if temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius), and efforts to transplant them into other climates have been unsuccessful.
Muscadine grapes are also known as Southern Fox Grapes or Scuppernong, which are actually names for specific varieties of muscadine. There are now over 300 varieties grown, in yellow, bronze, dark purple and even black. Their sugar content can range from 15% to 25%, depending on the variety.
Most Muscadine vines are diets, meaning they have either male or female flowers. For best results, both sexes should be planted close enough to each other to aid pollination. A few self-fertile varieties have been developed that produce flowers with both male and female parts. For best production results, however, these should be interspersed with female vines.
Muscadine grapes are best planted along a fence or trellis in open areas with full sunlight. The vines should be planted 10-20 feet apart (about 3-6 meters), with at least 8 feet (2.4 meters) between rows. Although they require plenty of water for the first two years, mature vines are fairly drought tolerant as long as the dry period lasts no more than two months. The vines require annual pruning to maximize fruit production and healthy growth. The vines will start producing a crop within 3-5 years.
The plants are naturally resistant to many of the insects and diseases that plague bunch grapes. The Japanese beetle is one of the biggest insect threats. Muscadine grapes can also be sensitive to powdery mildew and various forms of root and leaf rot. Periodic treatment with spray fungicides and insecticides offers ample protection.
Muscadine grapes are eaten fresh and used to make a variety of products, including a large selection of wines. Sugar is added during the winemaking process of some varieties to produce a sweet, musky drink. Bronze Scuppernong grapes are used to make a dry red table wine. One advantage of muscadine wines over other red wines is significantly higher levels of antioxidants.
Additional products include fruit juices, jams, jellies, desert dressings and syrups. Some companies are expanding their product lines by offering Muscadine grape-based dietary supplements and powders. While the fruit is regional, the Internet has greatly expanded the market for these products.
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