anyone know anything about frost grapes

[Sirs]

Hey does anyone know anything about frost grapes? I've read that their not good to pick till they've had frost on them, if thats so wonder if you put them in freezer if it would act the same?? Just curious as I know where a bunch is that seem to be ripe now not real sweet but edible now. Can probly 5 or 6 gallon fairly easy.

 

[rodo]

Could this be the southern version of "Ice Wine"?
If so the idea is to leave them on the vine as long as possible to make the most sugar then the freezing removes water but not sugars and other solids.

 

[Sirs]

no thats what the grapes are called they're a wild grape,I've always know them as possum grapes but I know thats not the real name their about the size of large peas

 

[Wade E]

Dont know of them but looked them up and you are right as they get sweeter when hit by frost. Heres a link.
http://www.carlinvilleschools.net/linke/flora/03/grap.htm

 

[Sirs]

wonders if they would make good wine before frosted? They seem ripe now only not real sweet, I know they get sweeter once they get frosted but normally they raisin out real quick once this happens

 

[deboard]

I would guess waiting until frost gives the grape more time to ripen, increasing sugar content and softening the acidity. I'm no expert, but if you could pick them right before the frost (as hard as that is to predict!) and then freeze them you might have nearly the best of both worlds as far as these are concerned.

 

[DavidB]

It's funny you should be asking about these. I found several "trees"? of this yesterday and had no idea what they were. Even got several books from the library which were no help. Ended up popping one in my mouth to see if it would make a good wine. Promptly spit it out as they are not sweet at all but it's good to know they get better when cold. Maybe I'll try that again now that I know what they are. If you do something with them, please let me know how it turns out. They are plentiful here in North Carolina

 

[Sirs]

I've eat these thnigs since I was a kid my dad used to use me to see if they were sweet yet he knew they'd be sour till at least one frost or really cool couple of nights, but yes they do get sweet.