Grapes
There are many vineyards in Tennessee growing many different grapes
varieties.
This page covers grapes used for winemaking. Below is a list of varieties, their
cultural characteristics, winemaking potential and typical growers' experience
in Tennessee.
| Grape | Characteristics | Cold Hardy | Wines Made |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | French, dark purple, upright growth, uneven yields due to cold/disease, late ripening, grafted vines can die from crown gall. | TENDER | Dry Red |
| Cabernet Franc | French, dark purple, upright growth, uneven yields due to cold/disease, grafted vines can die from crown gall, more winter hardy than Cab Sauvignon. | SLIGHT | Dry Red |
| Catawba | American, pink to red, very vigorous, large yields, drooping growth habit, very widely planted. | HARDY | White or Pink, Dry to Sweet |
| Chambourcin | French Hybrid, dark purple, good yields, upright growth, very popular red for the eastern United States. | MODERATE | Dry Red |
| Chancellor | French Hybrid, dark purple, avg. yields, upright growth, crown gall prone, losing to Chambourcin. | MODERATE | Dry Red |
| Chardonel | Chardonnay-Seyval Hybrid, good yields, upright growth, hardy, wine tastes better than Seyval. | MODERATE | Dry White, Champagne |
| Chardonnay | French, white, frost prone from early bud break, upright growth, uneven yields due to cold/disease, early ripening, grafted vines can die from crown gall. | SLIGHT | Dry White, Champagne |
| Concord | American jelly grape, purple, ripens unevenly, good yields, drooping vigorous growth habit. | HARDY | Red, Rosé, Dry to Sweet |
| Cynthiana | Same as Norton, American, dark purple, very small clusters, average yield, late ripening, prefers sandy soils. | HARDY | Dry Red |
| Foch | French Hybrid, dark purple, small clusters, good yield, early ripening, tends to rot, unstable color. | HARDY | Red, Dry to Sweet |
| Delaware | American Hybrid, red, moderate vigor, good yields, fine blending wine. | HARDY | White or Pink, Dry to Sweet |
| Golden Muscat | American Hybrid, white, vigorous, good yields, Niagara type grapey flavor. | MODERATE | White, Dry to Sweet |
| Merlot | French, dark purple, upright growth, uneven yields due to cold/disease, early ripening, grafted vines can die from crown gall. | TENDER | Dry Red |
| Leon Millot | Twin of Foch, somewhat earlier ripening, somewhat more stable color. | HARDY | Red, Dry to Sweet |
| Muscadines | Southeastern, white & purple, bush-like growth, uneven yields due to cold, disease proof, very late ripening, crown gall, dies back in very cold winters. | TENDER | Sweet White & Red |
| Niagara | White Welch's grape, like a white concord. |
HARDY | Sweet White |
| Norton | Same as Cynthiana - see above. | HARDY | Dry Red |
| Seyval Blanc | White French Hybrid, upright grower, being replaced by Chardonel, can taste vegetal in Tennessee. | HARDY | Dry White |
| Traminette | Hybrid of Gewurztraminer, hardier, more disease resistant, white grapes, vigorous upright grower. | MODERATE | White, Dry to Sweet |
| Vidal Blanc | White French Hybrid, upright growth, average yields and canopy, can make good Champagne. | MODERATE | White, Dry to Sweet |
| Vignoles | White French Hybrid, upright growth, average yields of high quality Riesling like grapes. | HARDY | White, Dry to Sweet |
| Viognier | White French grape, upright growth, average yields of high quality wine, success in Georgia and Virginia. | SLIGHT | White, Dry to Sweet |
| Zinfandel | Californian, dark purple, vigorous upright growth, uneven yields due to cold and rot, tight clusters with uneven ripening, grafted vines can die from crown gall and cold. | VERY TENDER | Red, Dry to Sweet & Blush wines |
For further information on grape growing in Tennessee, please see www.tvos.org or contact Dr. David Lockwood, Tennessee Plant Specialist, at the University of Tennessee: dlockwood@utk.edu