The Grape

Grapes are the fruit of the Vitis vinifera vine, believed to have originated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and cultivated for over 6,000 years.

Fresh grapes are eaten as a snack or added to salads, fruit platters, and desserts, and they hold their own in savory dishes such as roasted grape and goat cheese crostini. Table grape varieties like Concord and Muscadine are sweet and juicy with a mild tartness; wine grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown mainly for wine rather than eating fresh.

Grapes pair well with cheese, nuts, and cured meats, and with herbs like thyme and rosemary; their sweetness plays especially well against tangy or creamy ingredients such as goat cheese, blue cheese, or yogurt. Beyond fresh eating, grapes are the base for wine and vinegar.