Hybrid grape

Hybrid grapes are grape varieties that are the product of a crossing of two or more Vitis species. This is in contrast to crossings between grape varieties of the same species, typically Vitis vinifera, the European grapevine. Hybrid grapes are also referred to as inter-species crossings or "Modern Varieties." Due to their often excellent tolerance to powdery mildew, other fungal diseases, nematodes, and phylloxera, hybrid varieties have, to some extent, become a renewed focus for European breeding programs. The recently developed varieties (Rondo and Regent) are examples of newer hybrid grape varieties for European viticulturalists. Several North American breeding programs, such as those at Cornell and the University of Minnesota, focus exclusively on hybrid grapes, with active and successful programs, having created hundreds if not thousands of new varieties.

Hybrid varieties exhibit a mix of traits from their European, Asiatic, and North American parentage. Those varieties which derive from Vitis labrusca parentage (such as those still used in the production of Austrian Uhudler) can have a strong "candied" or "wild strawberry" aroma depending many factors, while those that derive from Vitis riparia often have a herbaceous nose with flavours reminiscent of black currants. However, modern hybrid varieties often contain multiple species in their parentage and are inter-crossed many times, so some distinctive flavors and aromas disappear or evolve into new, unique expressions due to their combination with others. Institutional and private breeders continually develop new hybrids around the world, so it is difficult to generalize about "hybrid traits," and many of the old stereotypical descriptions are outdated and apply only to some of the older hybrids.

History

During the first half of the 20th century, various breeding programs were developed in an attempt to deal with the consequences of globalization, which resulted in Europeans and European-Americans bringing the Phylloxera louse from North America to Europe, as well as several North American parasitic fungi - like black rot (Guignardia bidwellii), downy mildew (Peronospora), and powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator).