Grape (Challenger)

The "Challenger" grape is a vigorous, cold-tolerant table grape with orange-red, tear-shaped berries that are sweet, firm, and fleshy (with one or two small, soft seeds), yielding excellent quality fruit for fresh consumption and often cultivated in cooler climates as a good hybrid option. This variety can withstand temperatures down to around -10 F.  It matures early to mid-season, about 3 weeks ahead of Concord, and is recognized for its robustness, making it a fantastic choice for home growers.  The Challenger grape is probably a Hubert x Black Monukka hybrid, introduced by the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station in 1983.

Grape Variety Details

The Challenger grape is primarily a red table grape variety developed for eating fresh, though some sources note its potential for juice, jelly, and wine. 

• Origin: The grape was developed from a cross made at Cornell University, with the material later transferred to the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station, which released it in 1983. Its likely parentage is a Hubert x Black Monukka cross.

• Physical Attributes: It produces medium-sized, tear-shaped, orange-red to deep red grapes in loose clusters. The grapes are described as very meaty and firm.

• Flavor & Texture: The flavor is generally considered sweet and delicate, of excellent quality, though some sources note a neutral flavor that can be almost insipid if not allowed to mature fully.

• Growing Conditions: The vine is known to be excessively vigorous and hardy to about -10°F. It ripens about three weeks earlier than Concord grapes.