Georgia
has a long tradition of grape growing and wine making based on the native muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia). In recent decades, with the advent of modern fungicides, the European bunch grape (Vitis vinifera) and French-American hybrids (European bunch grape crossed with American bunch grape) are being grown successfully in the mountain areas of Georgia. Georgia leads the nation in the production of muscadine table grapes that have been developed primarily by breeders at the University of Georgia.
Georgia's four distinct climate zones have a huge influence on grape production. In the Tennessee Valley, north of the Blue Ridge Mountains (U.S. Department of Agriculture Zone 6b), such French-American hybrids as Chambourcin and Seyval Blanc are best adapted. In this area there are two wineries, Crane Creek in Young Harris and Tiger Mountain in Tiger. On the south slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains and in the Valley and Ridge district (USDA Zone 7a) French-American hybrids and European bunch grapes thrive. In this region there are five wineries: Habersham in Helen; Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, and Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega; and Georgia Wines in Chickamauga. Some of the primary cultivars (cultivated varieties) being grown are Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Piedmont district (USDA Zone 7b), muscadines and selected cultivars of bunch grapes thrive.
In this area there are three wineries: Chateau Elan inBraselton, Fox Winery in Social Circle, and Monarch Wine Company inAtlanta. In south Georgia (USDA Zone 8a) there is one muscadine winery, Still Pond in Arlington, southwest of Albany. Carlos and Noble are the main muscadine wine-grape cultivars.
Excerpt from Business & Economy
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