Botanical Name of Grapes

The grape is one of the delicious, refreshing and nourishing fruits. Grapes have great taste, nutrient content, composition and low calorific value are refreshing fruits. Grapes are probably the largest produced fruit of the world. Grapes are considered to be the fruit of the temperate region but it has successfully originated in several sub-tropical countries. Grapes are a good source of minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron and vitamins B1 and B2. The grapes are usually a woody vine, climbing to the modified branches and when untrained often reaching a length of 17 metres or more. In some regions it may form an almost erect shrub. The edible leaves of grapes are alternate, palmately lobed, and always tooth-edged. Small greenish flowers of this fruit vary in colour from almost black to green, red, and amber. Botanically, the grape is a berry, more or less globular, within the juicy pulp of which lie the seeds. In many varieties of grapes it develops a whitish powdery coating, or bloom.

Description of Grapes

The Botanical name of Grapes is Vitis vinifera. Grapes botanically are kind of berries. The size and the colour of this fruit vary among different varieties. The colour of the fruit, which may vary from green to deep red, is a result of the grape content in anthocyanins and flavonoids. This content of Grapes is basically affected by temperature, pH levels, the growing conditions, and the sugar content.  Grapes have varieties with seeds and seedless varieties. Seeded varieties may have up to four seeds. Grape seeds will contain tannins at a rate of 4-6%.

Generation of Grapes

Generally, the grape life cycle has two phases, first is the Growing Period and the other is the Dormancy period. The growing period is then divided into three stages. 

• The first stage is starting with sprouting and ending with blooming.

• The second stage is starting with blooming and ending with a version that is a change of colour of Grapes.

• The third stage is starting with version and ending with maturing. During the third stage, acidity decreases, while the content of sugars increases. 

Grapes Family

Vitis Vinifera is the scientific name of Grapes. The exact number of grape species is unknown but some of the popular species are :

• Rotundifolia : Rotundifolia is a type of grape species particular to the Southeastern United States. This grape produces a slight quantity of fruit and has thick skin when it is harvested. Rotundifolia contains low sugar as well as low acid contents and thus it is tremendous to make dessert wine. 

• Labrusca : Labrusca is an American grape species generally found at any grocery store. Labrusca has low pH levels and sugar, which makes it suitable to eat. This species is generally known as a fox- grape and is common for eating and making sweet wines.  

• Aestivalis : Aestivalis is commonly known as the Lenoir and Norton grape. Aestivalis has thick skin along with multiple seeds and due to high sugar and low acid content, this species is used to make dry wines.

• Vinifera : Vinifera are mostly found in parts of Asia and Europe. Vinifera have a high content of sugar plus found in different berry sizes. Some grape species are Syrah, Sangiovese, Chasselas, Muscat Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Flame Seedless, and Riesling. Since the high range of sugar content acts as a preserve, Vinifera serves as an ideal type for transporting and raising.