When can I harvest muscadine grapes for winemaking?

Answer

Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States. There are over 100 cultivars or types and skin colors range from light bronze to pink to purple to black. They are great off the vine or for processing jellies, juice or wine.

Grapes are ready for harvest when they taste sweet. Following harvest, store your intact muscadines in a plastic bag to maintain humidity and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. Grapes with broken skins can be processed for juice or wine if crushed within 2 to 3 hours.

Muscadines have multiple nutrition benefits and are fat free, saturated fat free, cholesterol free, and very low in sodium.  The Grape Science Center suggest the antioxidants and phytochemicals in dark-colored grapes improve brain function and heart health.  Consuming products processed from dark grapes like concord grape juice and wine (consumed in moderation) offer multiple health benefits.