Labrusca Wines Deserve More Respect

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6 Responses

  1. Geoff says:

    Well written-learned a lot-proof is in the taste

  2. John,

    Bravo. Great article and analysis. I have often wondered why someone didn’t start up a small winery and just make varietal wines out of the dozens of really good Labruscas, especially the white varieties which can make a better white wine than most French Hybrids.

    Lucian

  3. My Labrusca based wines are my best sellers. I grew up with labrusca grapes and can’t stand the jelly or other myself at all, I ate strawberry jam as a kid or apple jelly. I was amazed to find grape wine I did like a lot in my later years of college. But, the majority of people in this area do like labrusca based wines and I get visitors from Europe to my surprise who often prefer the sweeter labrusca wines. In talking with another winery owner a long time ago had said the same thing, that most of the Europeans they had visit preferred their sweet labrusca wines. Of course I do get a fair complement that express they are pleasantly surprised that I have quite a few dry, non-labrusca wines. Apparently most wineries in much of Ohio do make mostly sweeter and labrusca based wines. They have to make what will sell here.

  4. Patrick says:

    Yep, labrusca-based sweet/semisweet wines(especially whites and rose’s) are very popular. I think the “flavor profile”(very aromatic/fruity, and sweet) of labrusca wines is a close cousin to Moscato wines. And we all KNOW how popular those wines have become!(for example, http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/583798/moscato-drives-us-wine-sales-to-new-heights

  5. Eduardo Schemberg says:

    I have making delicious wine with labrusca here in Brasil, and agree with you. If we make wine with Vitis labrusca is a sign that she is a viniferous species and not only a “table’s grape” like europe says. The good wine is one that appeals to our taste and not what pleases the ego of doctors wine .

  6. A Meyer says:

    Thanks for this very helpful article! I had been doing research to dind out why Vitis Labrusca wines are considered inferior to Vitis Vinifera. Now I understand it’s all a marketing scheme. I’m going to keep going and plant more vines! Maybe I’ll have my own winery someday.