The white grape variety is an interspecific new variety between Concord x Cassady (unknown Labrusca - open-pollinated). Synonyms are Guankouputao, Guizhoushuijing, Niagara, Niagara Branca, White Concord and Yunnanshuijing. It contains genes from Vitis labrusca and probably Vitis vinifera. The father variety was selected in 1852 by grower H. P. Cassady. The hybrid was crossed in 1866 by grower Claudius L. Hoag and B. Wheaton Clark in Niagara County in the US state of New York.
It was a crossing partner in the three new varieties Bluestar, Monticello and Niabell (Early Niabell). A somatic mutation with a reddish berry colour developed in Brazil is the Niagara Red variety. The commercial introduction of Niagara began in 1882, with all marketing rights held by the Niagara Grape Company, which was founded specifically for this purpose. Through targeted marketing, it quickly became widespread in the north-east and later also in the mid-west. After the Second World War, it eventually became the most widespread hybrid in the USA.
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