The Mission grape is an indigenous variety of grape cultivated predominantly in North America. This full-bodied grape, also known as ‘Criolla chi’, originated from Spain and was brought to the Americas by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century.
Mission grapes are particularly valued for the distinctive deep crimson wines they yield, with nuanced flavours of plum, fig, and port. The thick-skinned grapes with a heart-shaped form produce structural wines with a high alcohol content and an enchanting purple hue.
This variety matures rather prematurely and copes rather well with diverse climates, making it quite manageable for vineyards in various landscapes. Of course, this has contributed significantly to the grape's widespread cultivation and longevity throughout the States. Despite originating from Spain, these grapes have lost their foothold over there, but they surely have claimed their place in the New World with pre-eminence.
However, its popularity witnessed a steep decline post-Prohibition period in the US, with more sophisticated European varieties taking the limelight. Thankfully, in recent years, the Mission grape has experienced a modest, yet significant resurgence, with vintners rediscovering its unique qualities and integrating it into single-variety wines as well as eclectic blends.
In a nutshell, the Mission grape is a historic and culturally entrenched variety, unpretentious yet full of character. Its versatile winemaking potential, amenable growth habits, and rich heritage make it an intriguing variety worthy of recognition and respect. This grape is a testament to history, a living embodiment of the vine-growing legacy, and a tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Spanish missionaries who carried it across the vast ocean.
So, if you're ever given a chance, savour a glass of Mission grape wine, and travel back in time to an era when these grapes and the wine they produced were the lifeblood of the nascent colonies.
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