Labrusca grapes production

The development of the wine industry in Washington subsequent to Prohibition had as its foundation the production of dessert, fruit, and berry wines. The dessert wines were produced primarily from V. labrusca grapes and the berry wine from those berries that were common in the region. Most popular have been loganberry, blackberry,and currant. 

In the last 60 years perhaps too much emphasis has been placed on the methyl anthranilate content of labrusca grapes. For example measurements of this compound have been used to indicate grape maturity(H) it has been used as an indicator of the quality of grape products(12) and as a means of monitoring the performance of essence recovery equipment(H). Furthermore the amount of methyl anthranilate combined with the volatile ester content of grapes is presently being used to aid the grape breeders in their attempt to produce new cultivars with certain odor characteristics(liL). 

The possible importance of damascenone to the perception of labrusca character can be inferred from a comparison of the amounts of this compound found in extracts of labrusca and vinifera grape products(X ). In a preliminary analysis of products of 11 cultivars, damascenone was highest in extracts of Concord grape juice, 5 ng/g (fresh weight), 37 times higher than that found in an extract of the vinifera cultivar, Pinot chardonnay. 

Because damascenone is a ketone its volatility is reduced in products containing sulfur dioxide and thus its contribution to the odor of labrusca wines will be minimized f17). However, its contribution to the odor of grape juice and jelly may be substantial, especially since 5ng/g is 700 times the odor threshold reported for this compound in water (18)- In contrast, the methyl anthranilate concentration usually found in Concord grapes is only 50 times its threshold in water(19). 

For several years sensory panels (in our laboratory at the Experiment Station at Geneva, New York) have been evaluating the quality of new hybrid grapes in an effort to find a replacement for the labrusca cultivar, Ives. The productivity of this grape has been declining for years because of its sensitivity to air pollution. One descriptor which is frequently associated with the odor of Ives and its hybrid progeny is "cotton candy". 

BRS Magna (Ritschel et al., 2012) is also a result from the cross between BRS Riibea and lAC 1398-21. It is a teinturier grape with labrusca flavour. BRS Magna is a novel cultivar for juice and winemaking with an intermediate productive cycle and wide climatic adaptation. It is recommended to be grown in tropical and temperate climates. It exhibits the typical labrusca or strawberry flavour, resulting in a wine with intense red colour, proper alcoholic grade, and low level of acidity. 

Steuben (Wayne x Sheridan, 1947). Steuben has found some popularity in New York State vineyards, but more recently it has been known as the parent of two red wine grape cultivars, Corot noir and Noiret. Its main intended use at the time of release was as a table grape. Vines are vigorous, productive and winter hardy. Clusters are large and cylindrical with medium-large orbicular berries. Flavour is mild labrusca, and berries have a slipskin character. 

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