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Champagne Grapes Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Champagne grapes
About Champagne grapes
The Champagne grape, which is commonly used as currants, is the name given to a specific kind of grape, the Corinth. It should not be confused with the various groups to produce wine in the Champagne region of France. This variety of grape is typically small and black, and it doesn't contain seeds. There are also both white and red varieties of the Champagne grape, but they're much less common. Champagne grape is the smallest among seedless grapes, which is one reason why they're very popular, especially for drying.
Champagne grapes have a very sweet taste and are bursting with flavor. They look very appealing due to their tight clusters and small fruit. They're widely seen in foodservice, especially in catering or as table decoration. Due to their sweet flavor and lack of seeds, Champagne grapes also make an ideal snack to accompany other fruits that may be laid out.
How to tell If Champagne grape is ripe
There are several factors to look at to determine if Champagne grapes are ripe. These include:
- Color: Champagne grapes change color from green to red, blue, or white, depending upon the variety. The grape's color is one of the indicators of its ripeness, but it's not the most reliable indicator. Several varieties of Champagne grapes change color well before they ripen. Still, when completely ripe, the grapes' whitish coating becomes more evident, and their seeds turn from green to brown.
- Taste: The best way to find out if Champagne grapes are ripe is to taste them. You can sample the grapes 3 weeks before the estimated harvest date and continue to taste them as they mature. Consider taking samples at the same time of day from several areas on the vine.
- Size and touch: These are other indicators of the ripening of Champagne grapes. Grapes start as small, hard green berries. When they mature, the berries swell. A ripe grape is juicy and plump. It will also crush easily. If it's overripe, it shrivels up like a raisin. You can also pull it from the grape cluster easily.
Kinds of Champagne grapes
There are several varieties of Champagne grapes. These include:
- Pinot Noir: This is the most popular grape variety in Champagne. Despite its low fertility, this difficult variety thrives in a cool climate, and it grows well in the chalky limestone soil. Pinot Noir provides wines with a robust character, and can be discerned by its rich flavors of red fruits.
- Pinot Meunier: This variety of Champagne grape thrives in clay soils, which is why it's mainly found in the Marne Valley. Meunier proves fruity and supple on the palate, and its rapid development time makes it a popular choice for blends.
- Chardonnay: This is known as the finest of Champagne grapes. It comes from the Côte des Blancs and is used for producing "Blanc de Blancs" Champagnes. This variety of grapes is known for its freshness and long finish, as well as its delicate floral aromas. Its slow aging process makes this grape variety ideal for wines intended to be kept for a very long time.
Champagne Grapes Near Me
Buy your favorite Champagne Grapes online with Instacart. Order Champagne Grapes from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Champagne grapes
As with other varieties of grapes, Champagne grapes don't continue to ripen after being harvested. Thus, they should be purchased at sweetness and peak quality. To choose the freshest, most delicious Champagne grapes when shopping at your local supermarket, make sure to check the condition of the grapes and stems. Fresh grapes are typically plump, firm, and tightly attached to the stems.
You should avoid grapes that are moldy, wet, or shriveled at the stem attachment, as they indicate decay. If Champagne grapes are at their freshest, their stems will be flexible and green versus being brittle and dry when they are not so fresh. If there's a powdery-white coating on the grapes, don't worry because it's just a sign of bloom. Bloom is a substance that naturally occurs on grapes. It protects them from decay and moisture loss.
When stored properly, fresh Champagne grapes can last 1-2 weeks. If you want to extend the life of your fresh grapes, make sure to toss any moldy or bruised grapes before storing them. Keep them in a perforated bag in your fridge. Don't use tightly sealed containers, as grapes need to breathe. Also, don't wash the grapes until right before you plan to consume them because excess moisture will speed up the decaying process.
You can freeze fresh grapes for at least 4-5 hours. However, if you have plenty of grapes, it might take a longer period of time to freeze them fully. You can freeze grapes overnight as well, but make sure not to freeze them for too long, or they might lose some of their texture or delicious flavor.