Identifying a White Grape Variety?
I was given a grape vine from a neighbor as a gift. It was about 4+ years old and this year was its first year producing. I was told it was a Thompson Seedless… well they are almost ready to eat and I gave one a try. Its still a bit tart, and the center kind of oozed out as a lump and not a juicy thompson at all. Also, the most obvious, it had 3 rather large seeds inside. The outside of the skin is spotted with brown, and the skin is a bit tougher.
I do know for sure it is NOT a muscadine grape as they are 1/2 the size of a muscadine which are common and grow wild around here in NC. The muscadines are also a more bronze color more so then actually being green like these grapes are. The vine is also more like the winery grapes I’ve seen traveling, and not the muscadine type of vines that are bulky and grow the grapes in small clusters rather then larger groupings like ours is.
Is there a certain thing I should look for on the vine or leaves to tell more? Or is there something I should be able to pick up in the taste to help point me in the right direction? I’m guessing it probably a common wine grape of some sort.
If the vine is a wine grape you can probably find it on this site:
http://www.theworldwidewine.com/Varieties/White-Grape-Varieties.php
Click on the grape name to see a picture of it. These are listed according to the wine produced; white wines can be made from red grapes. If your grapes are slip skin they most definitely are not Thompson Seedless; they are a crisp skin variety.
Good luck and enjoy!
I do not know with out a photo, but it sounds to me kind of like the Victoria Grape
This delicious seeded white grape has large, oval-shaped berries with a slight golden tint and sometimes spots, compact large bunches. It is a cross between Waltham Cross and Cardinal, and originates from Romania.
Victoria is an relatively early producer.
Can you get us some photos of the vine, grape bunches, leafs?