The Muscadine Grape: Botany, Viticulture, History, and Current Industry

Abstract

The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) was the first American grape species to be cultivated. This fruit has a long history in commercial and backyard culture. Picking muscadines to enjoy as juice along with muscadine pie on grandmother's back porch has a strong place in childhood memories of many native Southerners. The oldest and most consistent commercial interest in muscadines has been in wine, but juice and fresh fruit markets have also been developed. Muscadines so differ from "bunch" grapes genetically, anatomically,, physiologically, and in taste that they should be considered a separate fruit.