(From arvindgrover via Flickr)
First cultivated in Concord, Massachusetts, today the Concord grape is among the most versatile grapes around. Grape juice, grape jelly and candy can all be made from the Concord grape. Concord grapes are also used as a table grape, meaning they are eaten raw alone or in a fruit salad. Uncommonly, it is used to make wine.
Given that the Concord grape is used to make Grape juice, one might conclude that the wine would have a similar taste. Judging from the taste of Oliver Wineries Sweet Red, which is made from the grape, you would be correct. This particular wine has a simple taste that is on the sweet side and the taste is reminiscent of grape juice.
The Concord grape is a member of the Vitis Labrusca species, one of a number of grape varieties native to North America. V. labrusca is commonly referred to as a Fox grape A fox grape does not refer to the animal of the same name, but instead is a reference to the aroma and taste of these grapes, which have a muskiness. According to a few resources online, the first reference to 'Fox Grapes' comes from 1622 in a letter written by John Bonceil titled 'His Majesties Gracious Letter to the Earle of South-Hampton'. John was living in Virginia at the time and writing about a number of different topics. In this letter, he describes the grape has been used to make a very sweet red wine. Despite the early reference, the ultimate source of the term is unknown and a number of theories abound. Regardless, Fox Grapes are a staple of Midwestern grapes as they are uniquely suited to grow here with our hot summers and cold winters.
All said, the Concord is a good grape for juice, jelly, and sweets, but can be disappointing in a wine to wine experts. As someone who started drinking wine with a bottle of Soft Red, I can attest that it creates 'gateway' bottles for novice or amateur wine drinkers to taste and later attempt more serious wines.
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