Catawba

Catawba, a name of wines, both still and sparkling, produced in various parts of the United States from the Catawba grape, the fruit of a variety of the Vitis Labrusca, a North American and Asiatic species, from which have been derived most of the cultivated North American varieties of the vine. It is often said that it was 'first found growing on the banks of the Catawba River' (in North and South Carolina); but it is on record that it was named by Major Adlum, who found it growing wild near Washington, D.C., about 1825. Catawba wines are of various grades, the best being of very decided value. The vine is extremely prolific, the fruit being large, of a deep coppery red, and very sweet. The Catawba grape does best on southern slopes, and on limestone soils. Its slight musky aroma pervades the wines made from it, and causes some connoisseurs to reject all but the very choicest of the vintage from the catalogue of first-class wines.