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United States Standards

for Grades of Juice 

Grapes (European or 

Vinifera Type)

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or 

Vinifera Type) (81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect 

since July 20, 1939.

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural 

Marketing Act of 1946, which provides for the development of official U.S. grades to 

designate different levels of quality. These grade standards are available for use by 

producers, suppliers, buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards for 

grades of fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops these 

standards are designed to facilitate orderly marketing by providing a convenient 

basis for buying and selling, for establishing quality control programs, and for 

determining loan values.

The U.S. grade standards and inspection instructions for all fresh and processed fruits,

vegetables, and specialty crops are available on the internet and upon request at the 

address below. These documents provide detailed interpretations of the grade standards 

and provide step-by-step procedures for grading the product.

Grade standards are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after careful 

consideration of all data and views submitted during rulemaking. The Department 

welcomes suggestions for improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be 

submitted to, and copies of standards and inspection instructions obtained from:

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

Specialty Crops Program,

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240

Washington, D.C. 20250

__________________________________________________________________________

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

Note: Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to 

comply with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or 

with applicable State laws and regulations.

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 

programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, 

political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all 

bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 

American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) 

or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in 

languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter 

all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 

or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

Section Page No.

Grades............................................................................................................................ 2

§51.4290 U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes.............................................................................. 2

§51.4291 U.S. No. 1 Mixed Juice Grapes. .................................................................. 2

§51.4292 U.S. No. 2 Juice Grapes.............................................................................. 2

§51.4293 U.S. No. 2 Mixed Juice Grapes. .................................................................. 3

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 3

§51.4294 Reserved ..................................................................................................... 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 3

§51.4295 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

Color Requirements...................................................................................................... 3

§51.4296 Color requirements. ..................................................................................... 3

Maturity Requirements ................................................................................................. 4

§51.4297 Maturity requirements.................................................................................. 4

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

§51.4298 One variety. ................................................................................................. 4

§51.4299 Waterberry................................................................................................... 4

§51.4300 Weak berries. .............................................................................................. 5

§51.4301 Redberry...................................................................................................... 5

§51.4302 Damage....................................................................................................... 5

§51.4303 Raisining berries.......................................................................................... 5

§51.4304 Raisined berries........................................................................................... 6

§51.4305 Decay. ......................................................................................................... 6

§51.4306 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 6

§51.4307 Wet. ............................................................................................................. 6
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.4290 U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes.

“U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes” consists of bunches of well developed grapes of one 

variety1 which are fairly well colored and mature, which are not weak, loose at 

capstems, shattered, split, crushed, or wet; which are free from waterberry, redberry, 

mold, or decay, and from damage caused by freezing, heat, sunburn, mildew or other 

disease, insects, or other means: Provided, That there shall be no color requirement in 

this grade for white varieties when the grapes test not less than 20 percent soluble 

solids in juice. Not more than a total of 15 percent, by weight, of the berries in any 

container may be raisining or raisined but not more than 5 percent may be raisined,

except that any amount of raisining may be permitted if the percentage of raisining is 

specified in connection with the grade.

(a) Bunches shall not be excessively straggly, or damaged by dried berries, or by 

immature shot berries.

(b) Stems shall not be moldy, or damaged by freezing.

(c) In order to allow for variations incident to proper handling, not more than 10 

percent, by weight, of the grapes in any container may be below the 

requirements of this grade, but not more than a total of 5 percent, by weight, may 

be seriously damaged, and not more than two-fifths of this amount, or 2 percent, 

may be affected by decay, but in no case shall more than 15 percent, by weight, 

of the bunches in any container have spots of decay affecting three or more

contiguous berries: And provided further, That an additional tolerance of not 

more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the bunches in any container may 

be damaged by dried berries and/or immature shot berries. No part of this 

tolerance shall be allowed for berries which are raisining or raisined.

§51.4291 U.S. No. 1 Mixed Juice Grapes.

“U.S. No. 1 Mixed Juice Grapes” consists of grapes of mixed varieties of the same 

color which meet the remaining requirements of U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes.

§51.4292 U.S. No. 2 Juice Grapes.

“U.S. No. 2 Juice Grapes” consists of grapes of one variety1 which are mature; which 

are not detached from the capstems, split, crushed, or wet; which are free from raisined 

berries, sunburned, or dried berries, waterberry, redberry, mold or decay, and from 

serious damage caused by heat, freezing, or other means.

 

1 Mixed grapes of the Alicante Bouschet, Alicante Ganzin, Petit Bouschet, and Grand Noir varieties shall 

be considered as Alicante Bouschet type, and may be admitted to this grade.
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

3

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper handling, not more than 15 

percent, by weight, of the grapes in any container may be raisined, and in 

addition not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the grapes in any container may 

be below the remaining requirements of this grade, but not more than a total of 5 

percent, by weight, may be affected by decay.

§51.4293 U.S. No. 2 Mixed Juice Grapes.

“U.S. No. 2 Mixed Juice Grapes” consists of mixed varieties of the same color which 

meet the remaining requirements of U.S. No. 2 Juice Grapes.

Reserved

§51.4294 Reserved

Application of Tolerances

§51.4295 Application of tolerances.

(a) The tolerances for the standards are on a container basis. However, individual 

packages in any lot may vary from the specified tolerance as stated below: 

Provided, The averages for the entire lot, based on sample inspection, are within 

the tolerances specified.

(1) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified.

(2) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than double the tolerance specified.

Color Requirements

§51.4296 Color requirements.

(a) “Fairly well colored” means in the case of:

(1) “Black varieties” that each bunch shall have not less than 85 percent, by 

count, of berries showing characteristic color, excepting that in order to 

allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than 

10 percent, by weight, of the bunches in any container may fail to meet 

this requirement: Provided, In the case of the following varieties: 

Zinfandel, Ribier, Rose of Peru, Black Prince, Black Hamburg, Blue Elba, 

Grignolino, Aramon, Mission, Zante, and Black Monukka, each bunch 

shall have not less than 75 percent, by count, of berries showing 

characteristic color, excepting that in order to allow for variations incident 

to proper grading and handling, not more than 10 percent, by weight, of 

the bunches in any container may fail to meet this requirement. Purple to 

black shall be considered characteristic color for Malvoise, Grenache, 
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

4

Trousseau, Ribier, Rose of Peru, Black Prince, and Black Hamburg; and

reddish purple to black shall be considered characteristic color for 

Cornichon, Aramon, Mission, Grignolino, Zante, and Black Monukka.

(2) “Red varieties” that each bunch shall have not less than 60 percent, by 

count, of fairly well colored berries, excepting that in order to allow for 

variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than 10 

percent, by weight, of the bunches in any container may fail to meet this 

requirements: Provided, That in the case of the Flame Tokay variety each 

bunch shall have not less than 45 percent, by count, of fairly well colored 

berries, excepting that in order to allow for variations incident to proper 

grading and handling, not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the bunches 

in any container may fail to meet this requirement. Red grape berries 

shall be considered fairly well colored when at least 60 percent of the 

surface shows characteristic color. Light pink, red, dark red, or purple are 

considered characteristic color for red varieties.

(3) “White varieties” that each bunch shall have not less than 50 percent, by 

count, of berries showing light green, straw, or amber color, excepting that 

in order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not 

more than 10 percent, by weight, of the bunches in any container may fail 

to meet this requirement.

Maturity Requirements

§51.4297 Maturity requirements.

“Mature” means that the average or composite test of a representative sample of all 

the grapes in each container shall be not less than 17 percent soluble solids in juice, as 

determined by the Balling or Brix scale hydrometer, except that the varieties Emperor, 

Gros Colman (Dedrelabi, Blue Grau, Servian Blue, Fresno Beauty), Pierce Isabella 

(Pierce, Isabella Regia, California Concord), Olivette Blanche, Blaney White (Rish 

Baba, Humphrey Ladyfinger), Red Malaga (Molinera Gordo), Ribier, Khalili, and Dizmar 

(Persian 23), and Burger, shall test not less than 16 percent and except Muscat 

varieties which shall test not less than 18 percent.

Definitions

§51.4298 One variety.

“One variety” means grapes showing the same varietal characteristics.

§51.4299 Waterberry.

“Waterberry” means a disease characterized by a watery, soft, or flabby condition of 

the berries. Such affected berries are low in sugar content, have tender skins and are 

very easily crushed.
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

5

§51.4300 Weak berries.

“Weak berries” are those which approach a waterberry in condition but are not so far 

advanced or affected.

§51.4301 Redberry.

“Redberry” means a condition closely resembling waterberry generally found in black 

varieties. Such grapes show a red or brownish red color in addition to the general 

characteristics of waterberry.

§51.4302 Damage.

“Damage” means any defect or injury which materially affects the shipping or market 

quality or seriously affects the appearance. The following shall be considered as 

damage:

(a) Freezing, when the flesh of the berries is discolored or broken down. Freezing 

which causes only drying of the capstems shall not be considered as damage in 

grades for juice grapes, but freezing injury to main or lateral stems is considered 

damage.

(b) Heat, when the flesh of the berries is discolored or broken down.

(c) Sunburn, when the skin shows dark brown discoloration, or any hardening or 

depression of the skin.

(d) Mildew, when any active powdery mildew is present on berries or stems; or 

mildew scars which cause cracking or deformity of the berries, or seriously affect 

the appearance of the bunch.

(e) Dried berries, when the appearance of the bunch is seriously affected by berries 

which are completely dried and hard.

(f) Immature shot berries, when the appearance of the bunch is seriously affected.

§51.4303 Raisining berries.

“Raisining berries” means grape berries in a stage of normal curing process, which 

have developed to some extent the characteristic shriveled or wrinkled appearance of a 

raisin, but which contain sufficient juice to drop from the berry under ordinary pressure 

between thumb and finger. Change of color and flavor are in some cases, additional 

characteristics of raisining berries.

(a) While wilting is prerequisite to the raisining process, berries which merely are 
United States Standards for Grades of Juice Grapes (European or Vinifera Type)

(September 6, 2016)

6

wilted, or which show the fine wrinkling of the skin characteristic of advanced 

maturity without distinct shriveling, or change of color or taste, are not considered 

as raisining.

§51.4304 Raisined berries.

“Raisined berries” means grape berries which are fully cured, resembling raisins, 

which do not contain sufficient juice to drop from the berry under ordinary pressure 

between thumb and finger.

§51.4305 Decay.

“Decay” means any infection of rhizopus, blue mold, gray mold, or black mold, and 

does not include slight surface development of green mold (Cladosporium).

§51.4306 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect or injury which seriously affects the shipping or 

market quality, including grapes which are split, crushed, wet, or affected with redberry, 

waterberry, or decay, excepting that raisining grapes which are cracked or split, and 

grapes which show cracks at the blossom end shall not be considered as seriously 

damaged. Serious damage by heat or freezing means that the flesh of the berries is 

discolored or broken down.

§51.4307 Wet.

“Wet” means moisture from crushing or rain.