Norton

Many winemakers think this is the best indigenous American grape variety for making table wines. Also sometimes called Virginia Seedling, this red variety is thought to be part of the vitis aestivalis family, although some conjecture that it is a cross between Vitis aestivalis and another North American species. Its origins are controversial, including the theory that Dr. D.N. Norton of Richmond, Virginia, propogated this grape in the 1830s, hence its name. Norton wines don't exhibit the undesireable foxy character usually associated with North American grape varieties. It's also disease-resistant and extremely hardy, which makes it popular in a number of growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Norton grapes produce wines that are rich, full-bodied, and flavorful. Occasionally these wines have a "grapey" flavor similar to that of the concord grape. Although some growers believe there are slight differences, most believe that the Norton grape is the same as the Cynthiana. In Missouri, which made popular Norton wines from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, Cynthiana and Norton are used interchangeably.