Grapes
Grapes are classified under the genus Vitis, which comprises about 60 to 80 species of vining plants in the family Vitaceae. These plants are native to the north temperate zone, including varieties that may be eaten as table fruit, dried to produce raisins, or crushed to make grape juice or wine. Grapes are grown around the globe with the top producing countries being China, United States, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, and Argentina. Grape farming and cultivation occurs in 13 states within the US, including Arkansas, California, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Table grapes may be grown in many parts of the US, as well as throughout the world. European varieties (Vitis vinifera) and many hybrids grow best when the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0, but Vitis labrusca (Variety native to North America) varieties can tolerate a pH of 5.5 or slightly lower. California vines account for 99% of all US commercially grown table grapes, and the table grape vineyards cover more than 80,000 acres.
There are more than 8,000 grape varieties known, and more than 1,300 varieties are currently used to make wine around the world. Vineyards cover roughly 18 million acres (almost 7.5 million hectares) across the globe, with Spain, China, France, Italy, Turkey, and the US being the top grape growing countries. The type of soil wine grapes are grown in tends to contribute different flavor notes in wine. California is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world, behind France, Italy, and Spain.