Niagara grapes, a hybrid of Concord and Cassady grapes, are native to North America and used for wine, jam, and white grape juice. They were first cultivated in New York in the 1860s and continue to be grown in the Midwest and Northeast. The vine requires high maintenance and pruning, but can produce fruit for over two decades.
The Niagara grape belongs to the grape species Vitis labrusca. The grape is also referred to as “White Concord”. Native to North America, the grape is a hybrid of the Concord grape and the rich, white Cassady grape. Not only are the Niagara grapes used to make wine, but the seedless fruit is also used to make jam and is the primary grape used in making white grape juice. Possessing a sweet aroma, the Niagara grape is oval in shape and when eaten fresh it can taste sweet or sour.
Two grape growers from Niagara County, New York, CL Hoag and BW Clark, crossed the Concord and Cassady grapes in the 1860s. Hoag and Clark’s innovation paid off four years later with their first fruit. Hoag and Clark eventually formed the Niagara Grape Company in 1879 and opened several vineyards throughout New York. The cultivation and sale of grapes continued to grow, and in 1889 the Niagara Grape Market was established. Gradually, the market became saturated with Niagara grapes and prices for the fruit plummeted. In 1915, the Niagara Grape Market Company closed.
The fruit flourishes near where it is grown, including the states of New York, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The grape is also found outside the United States in Canada, Brazil and New Zealand. Many New York wineries feature wines made from Niagara grapes.
Planted in spring, Niagara grapes have the ability to survive the cold temperatures of the Midwest and Northeast. The grapes ripen in September and a full crop takes about five years to grow. The grapes change from pale green to yellow as fall progresses. A climbing vine, grapes are often grown on trellises or fences and can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet (about 4.6 to 6 m).
Grapes can also be grown for landscaping purposes. The grape has lots of green foliage that has a rough texture. Its height provides screening, while the fruit helps attract birds to backyards.
The vine requires high maintenance, including annual pruning. If the vines are pruned too much, it can affect fruit growth. Pruning Niagara vines is necessary after one year of growth. The vines are often pruned in early spring when they are dormant.
Growing best in full sunlight, vines thrive best in moist, well-drained areas. Grapes are often grown at least 8 feet (about 2.4m). When grown properly, the vines will produce heartily for over two decades.
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