Muscadine grapes are an elixir(?)!!!

January 17, 2008

North Carolina Wine Lovers, especially here in eastern North Carolina, have always said that wine made from scuppernong and muscadine grapes "is good for you."

Thanks to Bob Dalton, a former tobacco farmer and blender for R.J. Reynolds Company in Forsyth County, scientists have determined that the wine lovers are right! Recent scientific laboratory testing of both the white and black grapes, now officially known as muscadine grapes, has determined that muscadine grapes contain high levels of healthful antioxidants and polyphenols as previously updated.

However, with additional chemical analysis, the scientists also found that in addition to antioxidant Resveratrol, the muscadine contained piceatannol – an antioxidant not previously found in a renewable, sustainable source.

This new research is a result of Dalton transitioning his family's grapes, which make Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet wines. Then in the spring of 2001, Dalton discovered the Japanese Beetles were destroying his vineyard. Much to Bob's surprise, he found that while the beetles were feasting "feverishly" on the vinifera vines, they had not touched the wild-grown muscadine grapes nearby.

Although, as any muscadine grape growers can tell you – it's the grapes thick skins! These thick muscadine skins provide a natural resistance to disease and insects. Wanting to know "why the muscadine grapes were spared," Dalton sent samples to a scientific laboratory for testing as he wanted to know more about nature's grapes that have grown so profusely in North Carolina and the southeast coast of the United States for centuries.

Needless to say, when the results indicated that it was the "high levels of healthful antioxidants and polyphenols in the grapes (that) repelled the beetles," it didn't take long for Bob Dalton to switch his Yadkin Valley fields from vinifera grapes to muscadine!

Further research on these grapes also showed that they are "very healthy for humans!" As previously stated, the Resveratrol in the muscadine has been shown to inhibit the growth of some cancer cells including prostate cancer. They also help with cardiovascular ailments, arthritic conditions, symptoms of menopause and inflammatory problems. However, as Dalton states, the lab results also told him that these health benefits could not adequately be obtained "just by eating the grapes." The grapes needed to be concentrated!

So in December 2004, he began manufacturing a concentrated muscadine supplement using the skins from his grapes. They are dried, ground and sold as dietary supplements. This dietary supplement was first on the market as Muscadine Plus. Then in 2006, Dalton changed the company name to Muscadine Naturals. His dietary supplement targets signs of aging by using facial cream and body lotion made from muscadine grape skins.

Today, be healthy and enjoy Muscadine Grape products including wine, because as Dalton says, "This is one of the most amazing plants the dear Lord ever put on this Earth."For more information check N.C. Department of Agriculture at www.ncwine.org

Buddy Harrell, Bennett Vineyards