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Champagne Grapes

Inventory, 18lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 09/30/21

• 11 Recipe Ideas

• 11 ShareMarket®

Description/Taste

Champagne grapes are very small, about the size of a pea, and are round, growing in tightly packed clusters. The seedless berries are a dark red, deep magenta, or black and have delicate, thin skin that almost pops open when bitten. The flesh is translucent green and juicy, and the champagne vines also have medium-sized, heart-shaped green leaves. Champagne grapes are crisp, succulent, and have a sweet taste with a hint of tartness. As a dried currant, the grapes' sweetness is magnified, their size dramatically reduced, and their texture typical to that of a raisin.

Seasons/Availability

Champagne grapes are available from late spring through early fall.

Current Facts

Champagne grapes, botanically classified as Vitis vinifera, grow on vines and are members of the Vitaceae, or common grape family. Also known as Black corinth grapes, or when dried, the Zante currant, Champagne grapes are the smallest variety of all seedless grapes and are commonly used for baking and garnishes. They are also one of the very few Parthenocarpic type grapes in production. Parthenocarpic grapes have absolutely no seed development compared to other seedless varieties which develop small undetectable seeds. There are other varieties of corinth grapes including the white and red corinth, so the descriptor black was used as a point of differentiation.

Nutritional Value

Champagne grapes contain some vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, and fiber.

Applications

Champagne grapes are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking or roasting. They are mostly used for their small size and tender skins in baking desserts such as pastries, scones, muffins, and cakes. They can also be used as a table grape and put on top of cereals, granola, and yogurt. In addition to cooking, Champagne grapes are popularly used to garnish champagne flutes and to decorate serving platters such as cheese trays. They can also be cooked and reduced into jelly and added to sauces for savory pairings with lamb, game, and pork. In dried currant form, the Champagne grapes can be used in sweet applications as well as savory dishes such as couscous, rice, green salads, or paired with aged and fresh cheeses alongside charcuterie meats. Champagne grapes will keep up to two weeks when stored fresh in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Champagne grapes are only known by this name in the United States. The rest of the world knows them by the original Black corinth title that was created the 1500s in Europe. These grapes earned their new name in the states due to a marketing rebranding campaign. Allin Corrin, a table grape produce dealer from Reedley, California, showcased the grapes in an idealized pictorial editorial in Sunset Magazine. The grapes were frosted and placed alongside a flute of champagne, re-branding the grape forever in the United States as a "Champagne grape.” Regardless of what the name may imply, the Champagne grape is rarely used to make wine and certainly not used in the production of the iconic French sparkling wine of the same name.

Geography/History

Champagne grapes are believed to be native to Greece and have been cultivated since ancient times, first being mentioned in 75 BCE. They were spread across Europe via trade routes and were then introduced to America in the late 1800's. The first successful commercial crop was established by David Fairchild, a famous American botanist who introduced more than 200,000 plants into United States agriculture. The Thompson Seedless Grape Company then cultivated the Champagne grape into true commercial success via the improved cultivation method called girdling, creating higher production, yields, and prices. Today Champagne grapes can be found at specialty markets and grocers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Champagne Grapes. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Tasty Kitchen		Seared Scallops with Champagne Grapes & Almonds
Bicil the Baker		Baked Doughnuts with Champagne Grapes and Cream Cheese
An Edible Mosaic		Tarte Flambée with Blue Cheese & Champagne Grapes
A Merry Life		Champagne Grapes + Turkey + Feta Rollups
Fruit Share		Grilled Cheese, Champagne Grapes and Red Onion Sandwich
Luci's Morsels		Champagne Grape and Brie Scones
Always With Butter		Champagne Grape Tarts
The Redhead Riter		Champagne Grape Cake
Just A Little Bit		Champagne Grape Muffins
Honest Cooking		Champagne Grape Cream Scones

the other 1...

She's Cookin

Cheese Board Pizza with Champagne Grapes

Recently Shared

People have shared Champagne Grapes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.