The Difference Between Wine Grapes And Table Grapes
The question most people have but are afraid to ask is: what's the real difference between table grapes and wine grapes? If you've ever wondered why you can't just go to the grocery store and buy some Concord, red, or green grapes, bring them home, crush them, and turn them into delectable wine, you've wondered what most people have but are afraid to ask: what's the real difference between table grapes and wine grapes? What is the solution to this question? In reality, there are quite a few.
For starters, the species from which these grapes are produced is the primary distinction between them. Every one of the grapes that went into making the delicious glass of wine you're now sipping came from Vitis Vinifera, a species that is only found in the Mediterranean area, which covers Europe and the Middle East. The species Vitis vinifera is used to create certain table grapes; however, other varieties are generated from species such as Vitruvia labrusca and Vitis Rotundifolia, which make mediocre wine but are delightful to eat.
Another difference between these two grapes is the thickness of the skin on the grapes themselves. Table grapes have a thin peel that is good for biting through when nibbling, but it is not ideal for producing wine since it is too thin. When it comes to creating outstanding wine, particularly red wine, a thicker skin is preferable. This is because wine grapes have thicker skins, which are beneficial for imparting tannins and giving that rich red colour you like looking at.
Another characteristic that distinguishes these two grape varieties is their sweetness. The sugar content of wine grapes is higher than that of table grapes, contrary to common assumption, and this is required because yeast needs a lot of sugar to transform the juices of grapes into alcohol. In addition to the fact that wine grapes are picked considerably later in the season than table grapes, which allows their sugars to concentrate as much as possible, the increased sweetness may be ascribed to the species as well. Wine grapes are picked for their sugar content, which ranges between 22 and 30 percent, while table grapes might contain as low as 10 to 15 percent sugar. This also implies that, once plucked, wine grapes decay at a far quicker rate than table grapes.
Despite the fact that size does important when comparing these two grapes, larger does not always equate to better when it comes to winemaking. Table grapes, on the other hand, are huge and contain a significant amount of water, but wine grapes are petite and have concentrated flavours, which is beneficial for vinification. It is nice, to be sure, but the water reduces the amount of sugar in the grapes, which means that they will not ferment as well, as we previously discussed.
Finally, the production of wine grapes is much higher than the yield of table grapes. Winemakers are lucky if they get 10 pounds of fruit per vine — and they prefer less if they want to make a good wine. Table grape growers, on the other hand, use an elaborate trellis system that allows grape bunches to hang without touching one another, allowing them to harvest thirty pounds of fruit per vine. That much fruit might not make for a very wonderful bottle of wine, but it would make for a delicious afternoon snack. Simply put, do not attempt to crush or vinify them.
