Introduction

• It is the most important semi-arid, sub-tropical fruit crop in the world.
• Cultivation: ~7.4 million ha. in more than 60 countries (FAO, 2002)
• Production: 60 million tons per year (FAO, 2002)
• Utilization: 55%-Wine, 2% raisins, 43%-table grapes, juice and other products.
• Wine production: ~26 million tons/yr. (FAO, 2002)
• Family: Vitaceae
• Subgenera: Two- Vitis (70 species are known) and Muscadinia
• Origin: 24 species are native to North America and 27 species- China and 7 species- Japan
• Domesticated grapes have been assumed to be originated from Middle East (Asia minor- region between and to the south of the Black and Caspian Seas