Family: Vitaceae
Grapes are the fruit of a vine belonging to the phylum Magniliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rhamnales, family Vitaceae and genus Vitis. This Vitaceae family is widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern and Southern emispheres. While grape (Vitis spp.) is economically the most important member of this family, many important ornamental vines with brilliant fall colors such as Virginia Creeper and Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus sp.) are also in this family.

Vitaceae plants are mostly climbing shrubs with tendrils. In general, the family is characterized by: climbing habit; terminal buds developing into tendrils; and the inflorescence arising opposite a leaf at the node. The flower has five sepals (calyx) forming the outer part. The corolla, also called the cap or calyptra, is made up of five petals joined at the top; as the calyptra opens it falls off. There are five stamens opposite the petals. The ovary consists of two carpels having two locules. In each locule there are two ovules. Thus there is a possible maximum of four seeds per berry. V. vinifera has perfect flowers, but some native North American species have imperfect flowers.

Genus: Vitis
The genus Vitis is broadly distributed, largely between 25° and 50° N latitude in eastern Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Additionally, a few species of Vitis are found in the tropics - Mexico, Guatemala, the Caribbean, and northern South America. These are over 100 species in the literature, 65 of which are thought to be genuine and another 44 which are questionable, probably interspecific hybrids.

Use of grapes goes back at least 6,000 years ago when Mesopotamians and Ancient Egyptians had farming plans for the vines. Greek philosophers praised the healing powers of grapes both whole and in the form of wine. Vitis vinifera cultivation and winemaking in China began during the Han Dynasty in the second century BC with the importation of the species from Ta-Yuan. However, wild vine "mountain grapes" like Vitis thunbergii were being used for wine making before that time.

There are fewer than 60 known Vitis species, many of them being very indistinct from others. Their origin is almost entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and they are abundant in North America. There are native Vitis species in almost every state.

Subgenera of Vitis

1. Euvitis - "True grapes"; characterized by elongated clusters of fruit, berries that adhere to stems at maturity, forked tendrils, diaphragms in pith at nodes. Also called "bunch grapes".

• V. vinifera L.
  "Old world grape" or "European grape". This is the major species of grape, accounting for >90% of world production, including cultivars such as: ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Thompson Seedless’, ‘Flame Seedless’, ‘White Riesling’, ‘Chardonnay’, and ‘Black Corinth’ . This species is thought to be native to the area near the Caspian sea, in Asia Minor. Seeds have been found in excavated dwellings of the Bronze-age in south-central Europe (3500 - 1000 BC). Egyptian hieroglyphics detail the culture of grapes in 2440 BC. The Phoenicians carried wine varieties to Greece, Rome, and southern France before 600 BC, and Romans spread the grape throughout Europe. Grapes moved to the far east via traders from Persia and India.
  
  The introduction of the phylloxera ("grape root louse") to Europe in 1860 created a need for resistant rootstocks. V. labrusca and other species native to the host range of the phylloxera (north-central USA) were hybridized with V. vinifera to produce a range of stocks with resistance. In addition to use as rootstocks, some hybrids were found which had both resistance and excellent wine quality attributes.
  
  
• V. labrusca L. (syn. V. labruscana Bailey).
  The fox grape. Native to the eastern USA. This species is hardy and very productive. It accounts for 80% of U.S. production of grape juice. Fruit have a characteristic foxy flavor and a slip skin.This species is found growing wild from Maine to the South Carolina Piedmont, as far west as the Tennessee mountains. It was this type of grape that seen first seen by Viking explorers before Columbus' voyages, who named the maritime provinces of Canada "Vinland" meaning "grape land". Early settlers to the northeast domesticated this species after European grapes failed to grow, probably due to cold injury. American bunch grape, Fox grape, Concord grape. Valuable in breeding; hybrids used in wine production or as phylloxera resistant rootstocks for vinifera grapes. Major use is for sweet grape juice and associated products - jelly, jam, preserves, and some wine. Cultivars: 'Concord' - major cultivar, 80% of production; others - 'Niagara', `Isabella', 'Delaware', 'Catawba'. Some cultivars are probably interspecific hybrids with other native American grapes and vinifera grapes.
  
  
• Vitis aestivalis Michaux.
  Native to southwest Missouri, northern and eastern Texas, and western Louisiana. It was used to obtain resistance to diseases in French hybrids, i.e., crosses were made between V. vinifera and this species, as well as other American species. Important cultivar: ‘Norton’/’Cynthiana’.
  
  
• Vitis rupestris Scheele.
  Native to southern Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and western Tennessee to southwestern Texas. It is also the parent of some French hybrids and is a rootstock because of its resistance to phylloxera. It is not resistant to nematodes. `Rupestris St. George' and 'AxR 1' are clonal rootstocks selected for resistance to phylloxera; ‘AxR 1' is no longer resistant to a new biotype of phylloxera found in California.
  
  
• Vitis candicans Engelm.
  Native to central and southern Texas, in lime soils. Used as a rootstock. Offers resistance to both phylloxera and nematodes. It is extremely vigorous and used on less fertile soils where nematodes are a problem. Rootstock clones are ‘Dogridge’ and ‘Salt Creek’.
  
  
• Vitis riparia Michaux.
  The riverbank grape, also resistant to phylloxera. Extremely winter tolerant, therefore used extensively in breeding programs designed to develop winter hardy cultivars. Derived cultivar examples include: 'Marechal Foch', 'Baco Noir' (ripen early) and the rootstocks, 'C 3309', '5BB', ‘SO 4'.
  
  
• Vitis berlandieri Planch.
  A native species that has also been useful for rootstock material as it is resistant to phylloxera.

2. Muscadinia - Muscadine grapes; characterized by small fruit clusters, thick-skinned fruit, berries that detach one-by-one as they mature, simple tendrils, and the lack of diaphragms in pith at nodes. There are 3 important species and one hybrid group in this subgenera:

• V. rotundifolia
  Cultivated muscadine grapes. Very fruity aroma, thick-skinned fruit, in small clusters or borne singly, ripen over an extended period. Make good juice, also eaten fresh. Only of local importance in the South. Muscadines are native from Virginia in the north through central Florida, west to eastern Texas. This species has been enjoyed by southerners since antebellum times, and has received little attention outside of the southeast. This species is adapted to hot, humid summers, and is relatively resistant to diseases and pests. In general, the fruit is inferior to Euvitis fruit, but recently acceptable selections have been made from breeding programs in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi.Since muscadines are resistant to Pierce's disease and phylloxera, they may have uses in breeding or as rootstocks for vinifera grapes. Cultivars: `Scuppernong'- oldest cv, bronze skin; many bronze-skinned cultivars are called ‘Scuppernong'.