Catawba

Red

Catawba stands as one of America's most historically significant native grape varieties, playing a pivotal role in establishing the country's early wine industry during the 19th century. Though challenging to cultivate due to its extremely late ripening period and disease susceptibility, this hardy variety produces distinctive wines with pronounced foxy characteristics typical of American labrusca heritage.

Key Characteristics

  • Extremely late ripening variety
  • High natural acidity
  • Vigorous and productive growth
  • Disease susceptible (black rot, downy mildew)
  • Hardy cold tolerance

Typical Flavors

Wild strawberrygrape jellymusky fox grapehoneyfloral notesbright aciditysometimes slight earthiness

Major Regions

New York Finger Lakes · Ohio Lake Erie shore · Missouri · Pennsylvania · Virginia · North Carolina · Michigan

Also Known As

Arkansas · Catawba Rosa · Cherokee · Francher · Lincoln · Mammoth Catawba · Meads Seedling · Mecleron · Merceron · Michigan · Munipale Red · Omega · Rose of Tennessee · Saratoga · Singleton · Tekomah · Tokay

Overview