Did you know that it is not the champagne grape that is in Champagne and it is only called champagne if it comes from a place in France and the label says Champagne, most people are drinking sparkling wine and don't even know it.
There are only three types of grapes allowed in champagne and they are: white grapes of chardonnay, and the black grapes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Let's talk about what champagne grapes really are.
It is a Black Corinth or Zante Currant variety grape that is seedless.
Black Corinth is named for the city of Corinth where the grape was grown some 2000 years ago.
It is blue to violet to purple, smooth skinned and very small at about one fourth inch in diameter; they are known to be exceedingly crispy, juicy and sweet.
Champagne grapes like other grapes come in clusters and are made for the specialty market.
The grape cluster of the champagne grapes is about the size of your hand.
You may wonder where the name "Champagne Grapes" comes from; it was given the name when someone saw it laying along side a flute of champagne at a photo shoot.
Currant grapes are sometimes used in wine but never in champagne.
They are generally dried and sold as Zante Currants.
However confusing it may seem, the Zante currant is not truly a currant, which is the berry of the Ribes.
In the older cookbooks you will find references to Corinth raisins but what they are asking for is dried champagne grapes.
Champagne grapes though rarely used to make a wine do have some valuable uses, for instance; because of their unique and yet bold look with good color, they are used in decorations especially for table decorations at parties and for catering events.
They are also used in fruit displays as they add color and when eaten dried they are sweet, seedless and delicious.
The most important thing to look for when buying Champagne grapes is to make sure that the color of the grape whether it is a blue or purple needs to be the dark shade as that is the time when the grape is ripe and at its sweetest.
Another thing you need to look for when buying champagne grapes is that the skin is taut and the body firm.
If they are wrinkly or soft then they have passed their prime.
Champagne Grapes are available July through October.
You can usually smell their sweet fragrance when you hold them close.
You need to be gentle with them so as to not bruise the flesh and when you get them home wrap them up in tissue or paper towel and place them into a vented bag putting them into your refrigerator.
They can be kept there for up to two weeks and also for a summer treat you can freeze them and put them in juice drinks or eat them one by one.
There are only three types of grapes allowed in champagne and they are: white grapes of chardonnay, and the black grapes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Let's talk about what champagne grapes really are.
It is a Black Corinth or Zante Currant variety grape that is seedless.
Black Corinth is named for the city of Corinth where the grape was grown some 2000 years ago.
It is blue to violet to purple, smooth skinned and very small at about one fourth inch in diameter; they are known to be exceedingly crispy, juicy and sweet.
Champagne grapes like other grapes come in clusters and are made for the specialty market.
The grape cluster of the champagne grapes is about the size of your hand.
You may wonder where the name "Champagne Grapes" comes from; it was given the name when someone saw it laying along side a flute of champagne at a photo shoot.
Currant grapes are sometimes used in wine but never in champagne.
They are generally dried and sold as Zante Currants.
However confusing it may seem, the Zante currant is not truly a currant, which is the berry of the Ribes.
In the older cookbooks you will find references to Corinth raisins but what they are asking for is dried champagne grapes.
Champagne grapes though rarely used to make a wine do have some valuable uses, for instance; because of their unique and yet bold look with good color, they are used in decorations especially for table decorations at parties and for catering events.
They are also used in fruit displays as they add color and when eaten dried they are sweet, seedless and delicious.
The most important thing to look for when buying Champagne grapes is to make sure that the color of the grape whether it is a blue or purple needs to be the dark shade as that is the time when the grape is ripe and at its sweetest.
Another thing you need to look for when buying champagne grapes is that the skin is taut and the body firm.
If they are wrinkly or soft then they have passed their prime.
Champagne Grapes are available July through October.
You can usually smell their sweet fragrance when you hold them close.
You need to be gentle with them so as to not bruise the flesh and when you get them home wrap them up in tissue or paper towel and place them into a vented bag putting them into your refrigerator.
They can be kept there for up to two weeks and also for a summer treat you can freeze them and put them in juice drinks or eat them one by one.