Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Catawba is a historic American red grape that dates from the early 1800s. DNA work shows it is a cross between the native fox grape (Vitis labrusca) and the European Sémillon. The berries are slip-skinned, with a spicy, strongly 'foxy' labrusca aroma. Catawba is mostly made into white or pink dessert wines, and it is also used for juice and eaten fresh.
Characteristics
Red American hybrid grape; slip-skin berries; spicy, pronounced labrusca flavour; seeded; vigorous, hardy and productive; late ripening; acidity can be high
Growing Tips
Catawba needs a long growing season to ripen fully, so plant it on your warmest site. Its leaves catch fungal diseases, especially downy mildew, more easily than Concord's, so plan a spray programme. Ozone pollution can also damage the foliage. In some years the fruit stays quite acidic, so let it hang as long as the season allows.