Since the temperatures and frost damage are dominating current conversations, and there's a chance for snow flurries for the Treasure Coast this weekend, I chose to focus my thoughts on a lighter, happier topic! Florida Grapes!Until recently, I was unaware that grapes could grow successfully in Florida, much less South Florida! Researching the topic proved me very wrong! Of course, as is typical for me, I learned about them after purchasing a couple of plants from the local nursery.
In summary, there are actually two varieties of grapes that thrive in Florida...Florida hybrid bunch grapes and native Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia). The bunch grapes grow in the typical grape bunch form and are smaller than Muscadines. Muscadine grapes have smaller leaves and the fruit grows in small clusters or singly. Both are tasty and juicy, enjoyed as fresh fruit, wine, jelly, sauce and juice.
--Bunch
Muscadine
We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us, but the Muscadine grape offers tremendous health benefits. In fact, they were historically used by American Indians as a medicinal. Some of the health benefits include anti-aging and weight loss properties; powerful antioxidants; increased resistance to circulatory disease, diabetes, and cancer; and strong energy boosters.
We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us, but the Muscadine grape offers tremendous health benefits. In fact, they were historically used by American Indians as a medicinal. Some of the health benefits include anti-aging and weight loss properties; powerful antioxidants; increased resistance to circulatory disease, diabetes, and cancer; and strong energy boosters.
The Florida Grape Growers Association has a wonderful website that discusses the history (circa 1920) and current state of the Florida wine industry, a 1.5 billion dollar industry, actually! There's also an article titled "Home Wine Making in Florida" by Robert P. Bates (http://www.gffa.org/homewinemaking.html )...I might attempt this some crazy season. However, I've also been educated about the fact that Muscadine grapes (this is the kind I purchased) take 3-4 years before their first good harvest, so I'll have to wait a while before attempting this task. You can read about "Growing Muscadine Grapes In Florida" by Jiang Lu, Cynthia Connolly and Joe Spinelli by going to this link: http://www.fgga.org/growingmuscadinegrapes.html . Another wonderful article on the FGGA website discusses harvesting, deseeding, preserving, canning, etc. - well worth reading - http://www.gffa.org/homepreservation.html . 
The space where I planted my grapes is along the rear corner of my property, between the shed and 6' privacy fence. I've discussed this in previous posts, but I plan on training the vines up along the side of the shed (to cover the ugly stains that the stain remover won't remove), and across supports to the top of the fence, creating a covered patio area. This is where I plan to sit quietly with a glass of wine (perhaps made from Muscadine grapes!). I'm quite excited about it! Therefore, I was happy to find a Winery Directory on the FGGA website (this site has everything about grapes!) - http://www.fgga.org/wineriesdirectory.html . Gotta love that!!!! After all, I subscribe to the belief that most everything can be cured with a glass of wine (and a prayer, of course)!
Finally, during my research, I found out about the Florida Wine Festival! Who knew?!?!?! This year's festival is March 19-20, and is FREE on Saturday the 20th from 12pm - 4pm. The festival includes wine lectures, tastings, food, hands-on activities for the kids, and live performances by area musicians and artists. What fun!!! The best part is that it's actually a fundraiser for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science. http://www.thefloridawinefestival.com/ .
This year, I'm planning on tasting as many Florida wines as I can find. Although I'm not an expert by any means, I'll log the results and give a report of my findings. Hopefully one day, I can include a wine made from my homegrown Muscadine grapes! Cheers to 2010!!
