G is for Grapes

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Californians have been cultivating grapes for more than 200 years, and provide an astounding 99 percent of the country's commercially grown grapes. The first vines were planted in 1769 when the Spanish friars established missions in the state and introduced Mediterranean produce items, including figs and olives. The trees and vines flourished in the warm, dry climates of southern and central California. Today, California wine, table grapes and raisins are important agricultural commodities, and the state is blanketed with 700,000 acres of vineyards.

Flaming Grapes in Calistoga, California 

Grapes 

A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia

A grape is the non-climacteric fruit, botanically a true berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, and grape seed oil. Grapes are also used in some kinds of candy.

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics show the cultivation of grapes. Scholars believe that ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans also grew grapes both for eating and wine production. Later, the growing of grapes spread to Europe, North Africa, and eventually to the United States. Native grapes in North America grew along streams; however, the first cultivated grapes in California were grown by Spanish Franciscan Friars looking to make a sacramental wine for the California Missions. The first table grape vineyard in California is credited to an early settler by the name of William Wolfskill in the Los Angeles area. As more settlers came to California, more and more varieties of European grapes were introduced, some for wine-making, others for raisins and some for eating fresh.

Today in the United States, approximately 98 percent of commercially grown table grapes are from California.

Grape Recipes

Grapes with Currants, Apples and Cheese

Grape Recipes & More 

Florida Grape Growers Association Muscadine Cheese Pie, Grape Glaze, Wine Ice or Sorbet, Muscadine Wine Barbecue Sauce, Grape Juice, and more.

Epicurean.com Italian Fresh Purple Grape Cake, Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves, Grapes in Napolean Brandy, White Grape Jelly, Grape Sherbet, and more.

Wenger Grapes Grape Conserve, Quick Grape Juice, Grape Parfait Pie, Spiced Grape Butter, Grape Juice Tapioca, and more.

Chocolate Covered Grapes with Rum

Grapes and Grape Leaves for the Pantry 

White Grape Jelly

Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Concord Grape Jelly

Amazon Price: $4.50 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Roland Grape Leaves, 16 oz

Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Stuffed Grape Leaves (aegean) 4 lb 6 oz

Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Chocolate Covered Grapes With Rum By ChefShop

Amazon Price: $26.00 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Do You Love Grapes? 

Grape Designs on CafePress

Vintage Bocce Zinfandel Grape Crate Label

Grape Crate Labels 

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Grapes in Napa Valley, California

Grape Marketplace 

Grape Designs on CafePress

Grapevines Can Be Mighty Tasty

Vineyard Inspirations on Squidoo 

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be a Grape

Adorable Grape Costumes 

Grape Halloween Costumes for the Whole Family

Mullins Square Grapes Baby Costume

Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) Buy Now

Toddler Grapes Halloween Costume (Size: 2-4T)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) Buy Now

Green Grapes Adult (Standard One-Size)

Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 12/31/2009) Buy Now

Child's Purple Grapes Halloween Costume (Large)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) Buy Now

Adult's Purple Grapes Halloween Costume

Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) Buy Now

Seeing Purple? 

Check Out These Grapes Glasses

Grapes Glasses

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 01/01/2010)Buy Now

Product Description From the Dr. Peepers Glasses collection. Grapes Glasses. These UV protected costume eye glasses are great way to express yourself, and to have some fun! These wire frame glasses feature purple lenses shaped as grape clusters. Sized for both adults and children age 12 and up.

What's the Buzz on Grapes? 

Here's What Bloggers are Saying About Grapes

Champagne Tasting Tonight 5-7pm « The Greene GrapeFood and wine ...
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes provide the base to which Pinot Noir still wine is added to give color. It blossoms with aromas of strawberries, and, believe it or not, prosciutto and can stand up to more assertive foods than our other ...
The Powerful Anti-oxidant Benefits Of Grape Skin Extract | Food ...
Grape skin extract contains the most marvelous anti-oxidant benefits, resveratrol which is found in its highest concentration in red wine, is this particular anti-oxidant. What a delicious way to get your daily dose, drink a glass of ...
Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog » Twelve Grapes At Midnight And An ...
A friend just told me she'll be eating 12 Grapes at midnight and an Orange on New Year's Day. After reading an article on Lucky New Year's Day Foods,
Kindred Spirits Sisters: Food Friday - Traditional New Years Food ...
Traditions vary from culture to culture, but there are striking similarities in what's consumed in different pockets of the world: The six major categories of auspicious foods are grapes, greens, fish, pork, legumes, and cakes. ...

Under the Grapes

Grapes on Squidoo 

W is for Welcome 

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Grape Recipes

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About the Author 

Lensmaster KimGiancaterino has been a member since October 30 2006, has rated 8,434 lenses, favorited 4,135, and has created 293 lenses from scratch. Kim Giancaterino donates their royalties to Asante Africa Foundation. This member's top-ranked page is "2010: Will You Be Saying Two Thousand Ten or Twenty Ten?". See all my lenses

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