Background on the use of Concord grapes for wine production

Concord grapes are the most popularly planted native American grapes. Concord grapes are used to make wines, jellies, jams, and tarts. A variety of Vitis Labrusca, the Concord Grape is resistant to many of the diseases which destroy the European grape, Vitis Vinifera; they were the first onto which Vinifera cuttings were grafted to combat insects and disease and the first to be successfully cross-pollenated with European stock to produce hybrids. Most notable of these hybrids are French-American, but crossings were also made with German, Spanish, Portugese, Lowlands, and Baltic grapes. The resulting vines are hardy and produce good yields.

The Concord, however -- even its hybrids -- rarely contain the high amount of natural sugar that pure Vinifera varieties contain. They also contain more pectin and acid, and their wines may exude a musky aroma disagreeable to some. For these reasons their juice is always reinforced with added sugar, almost always diluted with water to balance the acid, treated with pectic enzyme to ensure that it clears, and may be flavored slightly with certain aromatic herbs or spices to counter the natural muskiness.

Important Factors in Deciding on Your Wine Making Grape

Today, you will learn about different varieties of wine making grape, how to assess their suitability for your vineyard climate and soil type, and the best trellis structures for them. The most common commercial wine grape variety in the world is the Vitis vinifera species. In North America, the V. labrusca is widely cultivated and to a lesser extent, the V. rotundifolia.

The V. vinifera is a fairly hardy species that likes mild winters and long, hot growing seasons. This species requires soil pH of about 6.5. Well-known varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

Great Ways to Enjoy Grapes

I adore this fruit. They are just simply a fruit you have to have more of, I mean whoever heard of eating 1 and being satisfied. With the credit crunch and costs going up, buying grapes can become very expensive. However they are a great versatile fruit to compliment your 5 a day recommended fruit portions.

When buying your grapes make sure that they are fresh and plump. They should be uniform in colour without brown spots and they should not drop-off the stem, but yield after pulling slightly.

Before eating them you should, wash them carefully in cool water or store them unwashed in a clear plastic bag or container, separate from other fruit and vegetables. A good place to put them is in your drawer in your refrigerator. When you are ready to eat them, wash with cool water and drain before serving. Preserving them this way will allow you to store them for longer. Which is ideal if like me, you purchase large amounts.

Concord Grape Juice Improves Memory

Polyphenols are plant-based dietary compounds with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These biological properties of polyphenols reduce the ongoing damage to the DNA in our cells that results from the toxic byproducts of metabolism, including free radicals. Polyphenols have, therefore, been the subject of intense research as potential prevention agents for a variety of human ailments, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cancer. (The evidence-based role of dietary polyphenols in cancer prevention is discussed in great detail in my soon-to-be-published book, "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race.")

Foods that are naturally rich in polyphenols include most blue and red berries, grapes (including red wine), pomegranates, walnuts, peanuts, olive oil, green tea, dark chocolate and cocoa, coffee, and beer (as well as other fruits and vegetables).

Concord Grape Juice Helps to Lower Blood Pressure and Keep Hearts and Minds Healthy

In recent years numerous well-respected studies presented a growing evidence of the positive effect of antioxidants on our health and wellbeing. They suggested that antioxidants can help improve the effects of aging.

Therefore it's not surprising to discover that over 80 percent of Americans are currently consuming, or would be interested in consuming foods and beverages for health benefits.

The results of the recent research were presented at the 4th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health (ICPH). According to the data from the major scientific conference researchers suggest that consumption of Concord grape juice is improving BP and healthy brain function in certain populations to improve memory.

Seems like the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages, such as fruits and vegetables and their 100% juices, help to slow and possibly even reverse age-related cognitive decline (the drinking of Concord grape juice may provide a benefit for older adults with early memory decline).