Labor Day Wines

Norton grapes are native to North America.

In honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, I would like to introduce (or re-introduce, for those of you already familiar) a few American grape varieties and the types of wines they make.

Most wines with which the world is familiar come from the Vitis vinifera grape species: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling and the like all have European origins. (Actually, according to the venerable Oxford Companion to Wine, Vitis vinifera originated in Transcaucasia – ten points if you can find that on a map!*) Vinifera was brought to the New World during the expansive period of European colonization, which is why you can buy California Cabernet and New York Riesling.

The United States does have a number of native grape species, and while these do not make wines similar in style to vinifera grapes, they have flavorful characteristics all their own. My suggestion, then, for a unique touch on Labor Day, is to try a bottle or two of the following native American grape varieties. They give a whole new meaning to Labor Day wines.

Norton: Norton is probably the native American grape variety with the most potential for making high quality wine. Norton is a robust wine, full of aromas like chocolate, wild blackberries and spices like clove and vanilla. Richly tannic and often heavily oaked, Norton can be aged for many years. Virginia and Missouri are great Norton-producing states. Enjoy a glass of Norton this Labor Day with grilled steak and sausages.

Concord: If you’ve tasted Manischewitz, you’re already familiar with Concord. Concord is the most highly planted grape variety in the eastern United States, notably New York. Its proliferation in the region has much to do with Concord playing an important role in kosher wines. Concord wines (kosher or no) tend to be sweet and “grapey”. They make for smooth, easy drinking. Try a glass with your Labor Day barbecue sauce – the wine will pair well with the sweet, syrupy spice of barbecue (you may even want to add a splash of wine in while cooking). Concord juice is also popular starting point for many home wine makers.

Scuppernong: Scuppernong is grown mostly in the southern United States, with cultivation reaching down into Mexico. At their best, Scuppernong grapes make well-structured sweet, dark gold wines with intense floral aromas. Enjoy Scuppernong wine with grilled shrimp and other seafood this Labor Day, or perhaps simply on its own for dessert.

*Here it is:

Tags: Concord, Labor Day wines, Norton, Scuppernong