Grape
A grape is the fruit of woody climbing plants in the genus *Vitis*, especially *Vitis vinifera*, which is the main species used for table grapes, raisins, juice, and wine.
A grape is the fruit of woody climbing plants in the genus *Vitis*, especially *Vitis vinifera*, which is the main species used for table grapes, raisins, juice, and wine. Grapes are cultivated in temperate regions worldwide and have been grown by humans for thousands of years. They are used as fresh fruit, dried as raisins, pressed for juice, and fermented into wine.
Botany
Grapes are the fruits of plants in the genus *Vitis*, within the family Vitaceae. The vines are woody perennials that climb by tendrils, and the fruits are technically berries. The genus *Vitis* comprises about 60 to 80 species.
Cultivation
The main cultivated grape species is *Vitis vinifera*, with many named varieties grown for wine and fresh consumption. Other species, including *Vitis labrusca*, are also cultivated, especially in North America. Grapes have been cultivated for several thousand years and were among the earliest domesticated fruit crops. They are native to the north temperate zone but are now cultivated widely in temperate regions and beyond.
Uses
Grapes are eaten fresh, dried into raisins, or processed into juice and wine. They are also used in products such as vinegar and grape seed oil.
History
Grapes have a long history of cultivation and are strongly associated with early agriculture and winemaking. Historical and archaeological sources describe grape use in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern societies.
Key facts
- Grapes belong to the genus *Vitis*, which comprises about 60 to 80 species in the family Vitaceae.
- *Vitis vinifera* is the principal species used for most wine production and many table grape cultivars.
- Grapes are used as fresh fruit, dried fruit, juice, vinegar, grape seed oil, and wine.
- The grapevine is a woody, climbing perennial vine that uses tendrils for support.
- Grapes have been cultivated for several thousand years and were among the earliest domesticated fruit crops.
Grapes are an important crop in Canada, especially in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia, where they are grown for wine, juice, and table fruit. Canadian readers also encounter many North American species and hybrid cultivars adapted to colder climates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grape?
Are grapes a fruit or a berry?
What species produces most cultivated grapes?
Where do grapevines grow naturally?
What are grapes used for?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/grapeSupports: Grape genus, family, approximate number of species, native range, and major uses.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine/Species-and-varietiesSupports: *Vitis vinifera* as the principal wine-producing plant.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — https://www.kew.org/plants/grape-vineSupports: Domestication history, wine use, *Vitis vinifera* cultivation, and product uses.
- Penn State PlantVillage — https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/grape/infosSupports: Grapevine growth form, fruit description, cultivation range, and major species used in North America.
- New York Botanical Garden — https://libguides.nybg.org/grapesSupports: Grapevine morphology, support requirements, and horticultural notes.
- ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/vitis-labruscaSupports: Genus *Vitis* taxonomy and species count context.