American hybrids, group of vine hybrids developed in the eastern United States, mainly in the early and mid 19th century and in some cases earlier but also much more recently with cold-hardiness in mind. Brianna, for example, was developed in 1983 by Elmer Swenson and involved no fewer than 93 distinct parents from eight different species. The term includes hybrids between native american vine species of the genus vitis and a variety of the European vine species vinifera, resulting in such varieties as Black Spanish, norton, concord, niagara, herbemont, delaware, and Othello. The hybrids’ most common parents are the American species V. labrusca and V. aestivalis, along with V. vinifera.
