Synonym for the grape variety Norton; see there.
The red grape variety originates from the USA. Synonyms are Arkansas, Cynthiana as second main name (especially in the state of Arkansas), Norton's Seedling, Norton's Virginia Seedling, Norton Virginia, Red River, Virginia, Virginia Seedling and Vitis Nortoni. Along with Catawba, Concord and Scuppernong, the hybrid is one of the most historically important American vines. It was named after Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton (1794-1842), a physician and horticulturist from Richmond, Virginia, who discovered, selected and propagated it around 1820. At that time, it was suspected to be a cross between varieties of the species Vitis labrusca x Vitis vinifera. Since there were Miller's Burgundy vines (Müllerrebe = Pinot Meunier) near the place of discovery, this was assumed to be the parent for the time being. A similar vine called Cynthiana appeared much later only towards the end of the 19th century. For a long time, it was considered to be independent, until...
For my many years of work as an editor with a wine and culinary focus, I always like to inform myself about special questions at Wine lexicon. Spontaneous reading and following links often leads to exciting discoveries in the wide world of wine.
Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien