There are over 600 types of grapes grown around the world. If you're looking to grow grapes in your backyard, you'll want to check with a local nursery to find out which types of grapes grow best in your climate. Grapes are usually divided into two main groups: table grapes and grapes grown for wine. Table are bigger; grapes grown from wine are smaller and seedier. The following are popular types of grapes that might pique your interest. Just check to make sure they really can handle your climate before purchasing and planting!
Popular Table Grapes
These big, purple beauties smell fabulously like grape Kool Aid and taste wonderful in jellies and jams. Unfortunately, they also have thick skins and plenty of seeds.
These light-green, large, oblong-shaped grapes are known for their tartness.
These are red in color, average in size and are quite sweet.
These grapes are deep blue or almost black in color. They are not as taut, but still have enough crunch to them to feel like a healthy grape.
These big, deep black grapes are black all the way through, even in the flesh. They are popular for fruit salads or fruit kabobs because of their size.
Champagne Table Grapes
These cute little grapes can be found in two colors: green or red. They are very sweet and light in flavor.
Popular Grapes Grown for Wine
This type of grape is grown in colder climates and makes a good mellow wine base. It is often mixed with other grapes to create a hybrid wine.
These grapes need warmer weather, but they produce the small, tough red grapes that give that fabulous tannin characteristic of cabs enjoyed everywhere.
Chardonnay grapes also need a warm climate. They are used to make a sweet, fruity wine. They are one of the easier grapes to cultivate.
Merlot grapes can be grown in a variety of climates. They ripen early in the season and have less tannin than cabernet sauvignon grapes.
These grapes are challenging to grow since they require very specific climate conditions. You will find these grapes growing in Italy, California and Australia. They ripen early and produce soft grapes.
Muscadine grapes are hearty. They like intensely hot climates like Mexico, Texas and Southern California. They produce thick-skinned, big grapes that are favored for homemade wine.
Germinating grape seeds is a painstaking process, and most of the time, only a fraction of the seeds will germinate. This is why most people buy grape vines that have already been established in a nursery.
The proper climate for growing grapes depends on the varietal. Some grapes will grow in fairly cold climates, but others will not flourish up north. Learn the differences.