Vitis labrusca (
fox grape) is a
species of
grapevines belonging to the
Vitis genus in the
flowering plant family
Vitaceae. The vines are native to eastern
North America and are the source of many grape
cultivars, including
Catawba,
Concord,
Delaware,
Isabella, and many
hybrid grape varieties such as
Agawam,
Alexander and
Onaka. Among the characteristics of this vine species in contrast to the European wine grape
Vitis vinifera are its "slip-skin" that allows the skin of the grape
berries to easily slip off when squeezed, instead of crushing the
pulp, and the presence of
tendrils on every node of the cane. Another contrast with European
vinifera is the characteristic "foxy" musk of
V. labrusca, best known to most people through the Concord grape. This musk is not related to the mammalian
fox, but rather to the earthy, redolent aromas characteristic of the grapes that were known by early
American settlers in the
New World. The term "foxy" became a sort of catchall for the
wine tasting descriptors used for these American wines that were distinct from the familiar flavors of the European viniferous wines.