What is the difference between Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca?

Vitis vinifera

The vine species that produces over 99 percent of the worlds wines today, it is native to Europe as well as East and Central Asia.  Vitis vinifera has been planted all over the world.  There are estimated to be thousands of varieties of this species, some of the best known being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Zinfandel.  Blue Sky Vineyard has two species of Vitis vinifera growing in our vineyard, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. 

Vitis labrusca

One of the main North American vine species, Vitis labrusca is found primarily in Canada and the northeastern United States, although some grapes of this species are grown in South America.  The Concord variety is the best known, followed by the Catawba, Niagara and the Delaware.  Grapes from this species have a pronounced muskey, grapey, foxy quality.  Blue Sky Vineyard currently has one species of Vitis labrusca growing in our vineyard, the Niagara.  We produce Concord wine and Catawba wine as well, with imported juice from New York State.