Grape (Vitis species)

Abstract Grapes ( Vitis species) are economically the most important fruit crop worldwide. These fruits are used as table grapes, raisins, and juices and for wine production. In addition, the consumption of table grapes and wine has numerous nutritional and health benefits for humans because of antioxidant polyphenols such as resveratrol. Vitis germplasm is variable and constitutes a valuable resource for obtaining desired traits, such as increased tolerance to pathogens and climate change through breeding programs. It is advisable to explore such a resource instead of relying on the worldwide trend of only cultivating varieties that can be easily marketed. In this chapter, we provide an extensive overview of the nutritional characteristics of both traditional and modern grape cultivars of Vitis vinifera and hybrids. Studies comparing the composition of the cultivars and related wines with regard to sugars, organic acids, phenolics, nitrogenous and aroma compounds, and sensory characteristics are addressed.