Norton (grape) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norton |
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| Grape (Vitis) | |
Norton grapes growing on the vine
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| Color of berry skin | Noir |
| Species | Vitis aestivalis hybrid |
| Notable regions | Missouri USA |
| Breeder | Daniel Norborne Norton |
Norton is a special type of grape. It is thought to come mostly from a wild grape called Vitis aestivalis. This grape is grown in many parts of the United States. You can find it in the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic states, and even in California.
Norton grapes were first grown in Richmond, Virginia. Today, it is the official grape of Missouri. It is also a very important grape for the Missouri wine industry. Dr. Daniel Norton first grew this grape in the early 1800s. He developed it from seeds of an old grape variety called Bland. The other parent was likely a wild Vitis aestivalis grapevine. In 2009, a company called Riedel even made a special glass just for wine made from Norton grapes.
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History of the Norton Grape
Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton from Richmond, Virginia, first introduced the Norton grape. He chose it from young plants he thought came from an old grape called Bland. However, we are not fully sure if Bland was the true parent. The other parent was probably a wild Vitis aestivalis vine.
There is another grape called Cynthiana. It looks a lot like Norton. For a long time, people thought they were different grapes. But recent studies of their genes show they are almost the same. Cynthiana might be a slightly changed version of the original Norton grape. This is because there are small differences in their wine quality and when they ripen.
Norton's Popularity and Challenges
The Norton grape became available to buy in 1830. Soon after, it became very popular for making wine in the eastern and midwestern states. This included places like Ohio. Norton grapes were good for making dry wine. This is because they do not have the strong, "foxy" taste that some other American grapes, like Vitis labrusca, have.
In 1873, a Norton wine from Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri won a gold medal. This happened at a big event called the Vienna World Exposition. A famous writer named Henry Vizetelly said that Norton wine from Missouri would one day be as good as the best wines from Europe.
However, a time called Prohibition stopped the wine industry in the United States. Many grapevines were removed. Farmers planted Concord grapes instead, which were used for juice and jam. After Prohibition ended, the wine industry in the eastern U.S. did not grow back as much as it did in California.
Norton's Comeback Today
Today, many wineries along the east coast and in the Midwest are growing Norton grapes again. They are making wine from them. The biggest area of Norton grapes in the world is at Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia. They have about 69 acres (28 hectares) of this grape.
What Makes Norton Grapes Purple?
Norton grapes are known for their deep blue-purple color. This color comes from special things called anthocyanins. The skin of Norton grapes has a lot of these anthocyanins. They have more than other purple grapes like Concord or Marechal Foch.
Anthocyanins are natural colors found in plants. They are the biggest group of colors that can dissolve in water. They are part of a larger group of compounds called polyphenols. You can find many anthocyanins in fruits like blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackcurrants. They are also in purple grapes and red wine. Scientists are studying anthocyanins to understand if they have any special health benefits for people.
