How to pick concord grapes

3 min read

The smell of a Concord vineyard in September is the reason to go, whatever you end up doing with the fruit.

What to look for

1
Pick whole bunches with snips or a sharp twist at the stem, never berry by berry
2
Grapes do not ripen at all after picking, so taste from the bunch before you cut it
3
Deep uniform colour with no green berries left in the cluster, and a dusty bloom on the skin
4
The berries should be slightly soft and come off the stem easily when you tug one
5
A bunch that is sweet at the top and sour at the tip needs another week on the vine

Seasons are short and local. See which pick-your-own farms have concord grapes on right now.