Vitis Rotundifolia

Definition - What does Vitis Rotundifolia mean?

Vitis rotundifolia is a grapevine species originally from the south-central and southeastern US. It has been cultivated since the 16th century and is known to adapt in humid and warm climates. It is unique to other grapevines as it needs fewer chilling hours than other varieties.

The berries can take on the color of deep purple to bronze and black. Some however, still remain green, even when mature.

WineFrog explains Vitis Rotundifolia

The Vitis rotundifolia grapevine is also known as Muscadine. It is a grape which thrives in the summer heat, unlike the majority of species which tend to shut down when temperatures are too high.

Unique also to other species is that it needs pollinators in order to set the fruit and most vines will produce fruit only after three to five years. The average vine needs a minimum of seven years to bare fruit.

It is not widely known as a popular wine grape, though it is used to make some small-batch, artisan wines. The juice is also used to make jellies and juices.

Some common cultivars of the Vitis rotundifolia are: