If you're lucky, you have arbors of those wild grapes whose wild, foxy fragrance wafts by on some of our back roads at this time of year. Especially lovely for garnish and desserts are the tiny black Corinth or Champagne grape, sold only in September and October. Scoop them up whenever you see them and use as a plate garnish. The first to arrive, the frosty-looking Perlettes, have come and gone. In September the Tokay, Red Globe, Ruby Seedless, Christmas Rose and Ribiers arrive, and more varieties continue on as they ripen right through the holiday season.
Grapes are easy eating for kids, requiring no peeling or pitting or slicing.
They are the ideal, mess-free snack for office or home munching. And as a bonus, they are nutrition powerhouses. Grapes are especially rich in the same phytochemicals, biologically active plant substances, which make red wine so healthy for the heart. These compounds, also called antioxidants, are found primarily in the grape skins and are believed to be protective against coronary disease. Antioxidants are reported to prevent cell damage, as well as to prevent heart disease by inhibiting the build-up of plaque.