The end of summer is one of the best times to visit wine country. Not only because it starts to slightly cool down, but also because the grapes are ripe and it’s busting with activity. The valleys in wine country come alive for the grape harvest.
In the great California wine region of Napa harvesting starts in early August, which is marked by the start of “crush” and continues through late October. However, did you know that harvesting goes into November and even December? These are the grapes that Late-harvest wines are made from. The red varieties of grapes are left on the vines longer, allowing them to get riper and produce more highly concentrated sugars.
With the Fall Equinox quickly approaching next week, and the grape harvests now in full swing up and down the California coast, it’s time to bring amethyst like sparkling recipes to our tables. Here are some inspirations for embracing the majestic hues of the Autumn Equinox and its intoxicating fruit.
5 Grape Recipe For Fall
1. Sugar Frosted Grapes
The start of fall is warmer as we bid goodbye to summer and slowly beckon the cooler and crisper breezes. During the first warmer days, why not enjoy sugary frosted grapes that will soothe the sole with coolness?
2. Grape Sorbet
When your all done with the Sugar Frosted Grapes, take the leftovers and turn them into a lovely Grape Sorbet. This is such an easy recipe and wonderful use of saved grapes.
3. Balsamic Roasted Grapes
Once the warmer days in fall pass and brisk winds bring signs of winter, roast your grapes for warmer nourishment. Balsamic Roasted Grapes will remind you of the Tuscan countryside in autumn.
4. Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies
Fall is a time of grape stomps and harvest festivals, but we must not forget that it also the time when the pitter patter of little feet become subdued as the little ones return to school and daily disciplines. Let’s give our little darlings something to enjoy as well with Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly Cookies.
5. Mulled Wine
When the lull is upon you and balancing the outside chill with inner warmth is inevitable, enjoy mulled wine with all the spices that are the essence of fall and Bacchus gift to us by means of the heavenly fruit of fall.