Definition

Noun: 1. A wild grapevine (Vitis labrusca) native to the northeastern United States, characterized by its purplish-black fruit with a thick, easily separable skin and a distinctive, strong flavor often described as "foxy." 2. The fruit produced by this vine.

Usage and Examples

• The fox grape is known for its resilience in the colder climates of the eastern United States.
• Early settlers found the fox grape growing wild and used it to make wine and preserves.
• The strong, musky aroma of the fox grape is a defining characteristic of the species.

Advanced Usage

• In viticulture, the term fox grape specifically refers to , which is genetically distinct from the European wine grape (). Its unique flavor profile, while sometimes controversial for winemaking, is cherished in certain juice and table grape cultivars derived from it.

Variants and Related Words

• Labrusca: The species name () often used in botanical and viticultural contexts.
• Concord grape: A specific, very popular cultivar directly descended from the fox grape.
• Muscadine (): A different species of native North American grape, not to be confused with the fox grape.

Synonyms

• Wild grape (in the specific northeastern U.S. context)
• (scientific name)

Notes on Different Meanings

The term fox grape has a precise botanical meaning and is not typically used in a figurative or idiomatic sense. It refers exclusively to the specific plant species and its fruit. The "foxy" descriptor relates to its aroma, not the animal.

Noun

1. purplish-black wild grape of the eastern United States with tough skins that slip easily from the flesh; cultivated in many varieties
2. native grape of northeastern United States; origin of many cultivated varieties e.g. Concord grapes