The term "hybrids" indicates that, unlike many of the naturally evolved vines, and crosses, covered above, two or more vine growths of different species have been crossed genetically by human intervention to produce a quite unique species that combines the best possible characteristics of the parent vines and eliminates their weaknesses to the greatest feasible extent. The term "French-American" indicates that the two parent growths came from, on the one side, a european "Vitis Vinifera" and, most often, a "Vitis Labruscana" that evolved via random fertilization from a North American "Vitis Labrusca" vine growth native to the East coast. There are several other types of native vine common to N. America (eg. many T.V. Munson discoveries, "V. Borquiniana" etc) that do not share the species specific "foxy" taste characteristic of the labrusca. Instead they are each capable of producing individual flavors, several of which are essentially neutral, and in some cases can bear a close resemblance to european wines. Nearly all played some part in the creation of the interspecific cultivars now used worldwide in various roles.

Many of the "hybrids" listed were created as a response to the seasonal temperature extremes commonly encountered in the northernmost temperate zones of Europe and N. America; and as counter to various disease's that can affect most of the vine transplant growths after importation to N. America from Europe. Each of the hundreds of hybrid crossings created yearly is allocated a number, e.g. "Seibel 5279", until they become commercially acceptable after extensive field trials, as the mentioned example did, eventually being named "Aurore". Only named varieties appear below, most of them capable of proven consumer acceptance when converted to varietal wine or wine blends although, in the face of the success of traditional vinifera wines with consumers, their market future has become, (1997), uncertain. Note that they currently cannot be labeled lawfully in many countries as "Quality Wines", a phrase reserved for use with Vinifera-derived wines only, and so are designated solely as "Table Wines" in those countries.

Growers in cool/cold climates should be aware that most vines vary in their sensitivity to low temperatures. Grafted vinifera planted in locations where minimum temperatures occasionally fall below 0 deg. Fahrenheit (-17 Centigrade) can be expected to suffer some cold injury. Protecting the graft union by "hilling-up" with earth, snow or mulch during the winter months assures the likelihood of trunk renewal and vine survival. In locations where minimum temperatures frequently fall below -10 deg. F. (ca -23 C.), trunk and cane protection is absolutely vital.

A 16 page Information Bulletin #233, pub. 12/93, US$4.75, entitled:
"Wine and Juice Grape Varieties for Cool Climates"
by Bruce I. Reisch et al. is obtainable from the Postal address:

Media Services Resource Center,
Cornell University,
7 Business and Technology Park, NY 14850.
Tel. No. (607) 255-2080