Delaware

The Delaware grape was found in Delaware County in Ohio in the early 1800s. Delaware is an American type grape but does not have much of the labrusca foxiness.

The fruit clusters are small with small pink berries that are very attractive to birds. Delaware vines are vigorous and hardy and are somewhat susceptible to downy mildew. Delaware ripens early, about two weeks before Concord.

Delaware is a pink grape that is processed as a white wine grape and is not fermented on the skins. Delaware may require the use of rice hulls in processing due to its "slip skin" labrusca trait. Of the labrusca types (Catawba, Concord), it has the best fruity notes and the least labrusca character. The wine is pink to white in color.