Written by Anna-Marie Barnes
This article was first published in Lifestyle Block

Your Backyard Fruit Bowl – Table Grapes

In a land where wine grape-producing vineyards are a dime a dozen, if you mention table grapes to the average New Zealander, their thoughts will likely settle on the large bunches of majestic-looking but rather tasteless imported fruit to be found in supermarket chillers year-round. But if we cast our memories back, many of us can probably remember a sprawling vine tucked in a corner of our grandparents’ section or running along the fence line of a childhood home. Nothing screams autumn like the musky-sweet scent of homegrown grapes, hiding in amongst their leafy surrounds and just waiting for the keen eyes of a backyard treasure-hunter.

I’ll be up-front and admit I am a huge fan of older, ‘heritage’ fruit varieties, so if you are looking for thin- skinned, largely seedless delights, avert your eyes…on the plus side, grape skins and seeds are packed with antioxidants, so no harm in chewing them up. This article is a walk through some heirloom delights, big on Wavour, character and hardiness. I believe they deserve a place in your garden and might just help Xll your fruit bowl before the cooler months hit. [Read more…] about Table Grapes