The Concord grape is a cultivar derived from the grape species Vitis labrusca (also known as fox grape) that are used mainly as wine grapes and for manufacturing grape juice.[2] The grape is named after the town in Massachusetts where it was developed. In the early 20th century, it was a common variety introduced to the western United States.
| Concord grape | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 Concord grapes on the vine | |
| Color of berry skin | Noir |
| Species | Vitis labrusca hybrid[1] |
| Origin | United States |
| Notable regions | United States |
| VIVC number | 2801 |
In the 21st century, the state of Washington produces more Concord grapes than any other state, and is the location of major grape juice production, particularly by Welch's in Grandview.[2]
Description
editThe skin of a Concord grape is typically dark blue or purple and often is covered with a glaucous epicuticular wax "bloom" that can be rubbed off. It is a slip-skin variety, meaning the skin is easily separated from the fruit. The Concord grape has a large seed and is highly aromatic. It is sometimes described as having a "foxy" flavor, referring to a sweet, musky accent.[3]
The Concord grape is particularly prone to the physiological disorder black spot.[4]
Production and distribution
editIn the United States, 417,800 tons were produced in 2011.[5]
The major growing areas are the Finger Lakes District of New York, the Lake Erie Viticultural Area, areas around Lake Ontario, Southwestern Michigan, and the Yakima Valley in Washington.[2][6] They are sometimes found growing wild.[citation needed]
Concord was the most widely grown grape variety on the North American continent in 1923 and accounted for at least 75 percent of the vines in the eastern United States.[7] Concord grapes were first cultivated in the Yakima Valley in 1904.[2]
Usage
editConcord grapes are the main grape to manufacture grape juice, with Welch's as the largest juice producer.[2] They may be used to make grape grape jelly, grape juice, grape pies, grape-flavored soft drinks, and candy. They are the usual grapes used in the jelly for the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and Concord grape jelly is a staple product in U.S. supermarkets. Their distinctive purple color has led to grape-flavored soft drinks and candy being artificially colored purple.[citation needed]
The dark-colored Concord juice is used in some churches as a non-alcoholic alternative to wine in the service of communion.[8] They are occasionally available as table grapes,[9] especially in New England. The grape is sometimes used to make wine, particularly kosher[10] and sacramental wine. The oldest sacramental winery in America, O-Neh-Da Vineyard, still produces a Concord wine for the altar.[11] Traditionally, most commercially produced Concord wines have been finished sweet, but dry versions are possible if adequate fruit ripeness is achieved.[citation needed]
History
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The Concord grape was developed in 1849 by Ephraim Wales Bull in Concord, Massachusetts.[12][needs update] Bull planted seeds from wild Vitis labrusca and evaluated over 22,000 seedlings before finding what he considered the ideal Concord grape.[12] Genetic testing confirmed that Concord grape has roughly one-third Vitis vinifera parentage.[13] The selected Concord vine was planted next to other cultivars, including Catawba, which was later confirmed to be a parent of Concord using systematic SSR analysis.[1]
In 1853, Bull's grape won first place at the Boston Horticultural Society Exhibition.[12] It was then introduced to the market in 1854. Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch developed the first Concord grape juice in his house in 1869.[12] Through the process of pasteurization, the juice did not ferment.[12] Welch transferred the juice operations to Westfield, New York, processing 300 tons of grapes into juice in 1897.[12] By the 21st century, Welch's grape juice was manufactured in a large juicing factory located in Grandview, Washington.[2]
Gallery
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Ripe grapes (foreground) and unripe grapes (background). Unripe grapes can be made into verjuice.
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Concord grapes growing on Grape Island, Massachusetts.
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Photographic plate of Concord grape from the book The Grapes of New York, 1908 by Ulysses Prentiss Hedrick
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Huber, Franziska; Röckel, Franco; Schwander, Florian; Maul, Erika; Eibach, Rudolf; Cousins, Peter; Töpfer, Reinhard (2016). "A view into American grapevine history: Vitis vinifera cv. 'Sémillon' is an ancestor of 'Catawba' and 'Concord'". Vitis - Journal of Grapevine Research. 55 (2): 53–56. doi:10.5073/vitis.2016.55.53-56. S2CID 87513053.
- ^ a b c d e f Rousso, Nick (October 14, 2021). "Grape farming in Washington". Washington State Historical Society. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ "Concord grapes". Specialty Produce. 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ Irvine, Ronald (1997). The wine project: Washington State's winemaking history. W. J. Clore. Vashon, WA: Sketch Publications. ISBN 0-9650834-9-7. OCLC 37862425.
- ^ "Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2011 Summary". United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "Concord grape". National Grape Association. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ Frederick B. Power: Examination of Authentic Grape Juices for Methyl Anthranilate, in: Journal of Agricultural Research, volume 23, issue 1, 6 January 1923
- ^ Peck, Garrett (August 3, 2009). The Prohibition Hangover: Alcohol in America from Demon Rum to Cult Cabernet. Rutgers University Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-8135-4849-4.
- ^ "Why can't I find Concord grapes in the grocery store?". Concord Grape Association. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ Appelbaum, Yoni (April 14, 2011). "The 11th Plague? Why People Drink Sweet Wine on Passover". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ "O-Neh-Da Authentic Sacramental Wine". O-Neh-Da Vineyard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f "The History of the Concord Grape". Concord Grape Association. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
- ^ Sawler J, Reisch B, Aradhya MK, Prins B, Zhong GY, et al. (2013). "Genomics Assisted Ancestry Deconvolution in Grape". PLOS ONE. 8 (11) e80791. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...880791S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080791. PMC 3823699. PMID 24244717.
External links
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- Concord Grape Association; note: unsecured address with no https, November 2025