Discover the incredible story of the Concord grape, a fruit so special it was banned from commercial winemaking across Europe! Learn why this “strawberry grape” (Uva Fragola) was introduced to the continent and the complex cultural and economic reasons behind its mid-20th-century ban.
I will explore the delicious, homemade Fragolino wine, which is still illegal to sell. You’ll also learn how to make three fantastic recipes to enjoy this fruit, from classic spreads to a refreshing dessert:
– Concord Grape Jelly: A smooth, clear jelly perfect for sandwiches or as a glaze.
– Concord Grape Jam: A chunky, firm jam that’s great for toast or filling a crostata.
– Concord Grape Sorbetto: An easy-to-make, vibrant dessert with a unique flavor that will surprise your guests.
Print the fragolino recipe:
Print the jelly recipe:
Print the jam recipe:
Print the sorbet recipe:
Ingredients
– 1 cup – 250 ml concord grape juice
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– 1/3 cup – 75 ml fresh water
– 1/2 cup – 80 g caster sugar
– 1/4 cup – 50 ml Prosecco, vodka or curacao (optional)
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Introduction (0:00)
How to eat them (0:33)
Why Europe banned Concord grape for wine production (1:21)
What is Fragolino wine (3:30)
Why Fragoino wine is difficult to make (4:30)
Other recipes to make with Concord grapes (5:44)
Sorbetto di uva fragola recipe (6:45)
TITLE: Concord Grape Recipes:
So Tasty, Europe Had to Ban It Do not read the title and the DEVIL
If you don’t know about this grape, you are missing something special.
Welcome to Your Guardian Chef, your angel in the kitchen!
The Devil: And I m the Devil in the Kitchen here to tempt you with
shortcuts no Italian would ever approve of! Today we are talking about Concord grape,
a fruit I ve loved since childhood. Eating Concord grapes is a
unique and simple experience. Their nickname, Uva Fragola (strawberry grape)
in Italian, comes from their sweet flavor, which resembles strawberries.
If you don t know them you are probably eating them the wrong way.
To eat them, gently squeeze the grape between your fingers, and the juicy pulp
will pop out of the skin filling your mouth with a sweet strawberry flavor.
The pulp contains seeds, but it s best not to open it to remove them, as
the inside of the pulp is bitter. Instead, swallow the seeds whole they re
small and easy to eat without chewing. Concord grape is a fruit so versatile and
delicious that it s used in everything from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to elegant
Italian desserts like crostata and sorbet. But while Concord grapes are beloved in
the U.S., Europe banned their production from the middle of the last century.
The devil: Of course it was banned, the high methanol content of these grape varieties
is high in methanol and can drive you crazy!! American grape varieties, including Vitis
labrusca, were introduced to Europe around 1930 to combat the devastating phylloxera epidemic.
European vineyards were saved by grafting their delicate Vitis vinifera vines onto hardy
American rootstocks, which acted like protective shields against the pest.
However, due to its low production cost, Vitis labrusca quickly took over winemaking,
threatening the dominance and reputation of Europe s traditional Vitis vinifera wines.
In response, France banned Concord grapes for winemaking in the 1930s, and
by 1956, vineyards growing these varieties were ordered to uproot them entirely.
Italy followed with similar restrictions in the 1980s, and the European Union later formalized the
ban in its wine regulations, barring these grapes from being used in commercial winemaking.
The reasons for banning Concord grapes in Europe were complex.
Authorities claimed wines made from these grapes had higher methanol levels,
which could be toxic and “drive you crazy.” However, experts later found
this concern was exaggerated. The real reasons were cultural and economic.
Concord grapes, with their bold “foxy” flavor, didn t fit the refined taste European
winemakers valued in Vitis vinifera wines. Economically, allowing Vitis labrusca
wines, often seen as rustic and low-quality, threatened the prestige and dominance
of Europe s traditional wine industry. Today, the ban remains for commercial
winemaking, though growing Concord grapes for personal use is still allowed in some regions.
I was lucky enough to try the homemade wine made with Concord grapes in Italy called Fragolino.
It was absolutely delicious. While I wouldn t drink it as a table wine,
its unique strawberry-like flavor made it the perfect way to end a meal.
However, if you come across a wine labeled Fragolino in shops, don t buy it.
As the original Fragolino wine is banned in Italy, it s likely a cheap wine
with artificial strawberry flavor. It s nothing like the homemade version I tasted,
which was fresh, vibrant, and unforgettable. While Fragolino wine is illegal to sell, you
can still make it for personal consumption, though the process isn t easy.
You can find the recipe in the link above. This year, I m taking on the challenge
of making it myself and will share the results in a future video.
The devil: Why would it be difficult to make, I make wine all the time I challenge you, making wine with
Concord grapes is no easy task. Their “slip-skin” structure, where the
skin easily separates from the pulp, limits skin contact during fermentation.
This reduces the extraction of tannins and color, resulting in a wine that lacks the complexity and
structure of traditional Vitis vinifera wines. On the other hand, increasing skin contact to
boost tannins also intensifies the “foxy” flavor a bold, musky taste caused by methyl anthranilate
that many find overpowering and unappealing. Additionally, Concord grapes are naturally
high in acidity and low in sugar, meaning winemakers must add sugar to raise
alcohol levels and balance the flavor. These characteristics, combined with the grape
s high pectin content that can cause cloudiness, make Concord grape winemaking a
delicate and technical process. Handling these challenges requires careful
adjustments to create a wine that embraces or minimizes the grape’s unique character.
The Devil: Ok, I am not doing that. What else can we do with Concord grapes?
Concord grapes are great to eat fresh. Every September, I eagerly buy
fresh Concord grapes, and honestly, I often eat them instead of a meal.
Their bold, sweet flavor and juicy texture are so satisfying on their own.
But because the Concord grape season is so short, I like to preserve them to enjoy later.
These are my 3 favourite recipes: Concord grape jelly is made using only the
juice of the grapes, which gives it a smooth, clear texture, and it s much easier to prepare
since you don t need to deseed the grapes. I use this jelly in classic PB&J sandwiches,
as a glaze for roasted ham, or even paired with foie gras during the holidays.
Concord grape jam, on the other hand, uses the grape pulp, making it opaque, chunky, and firm.
It s perfect for filling a crostata or spreading on toast.
Finally, my absolute favorite is sorbetto as it is easy to make
and I can keep it in the fridge for months. It has such an unique flavor that
guest will not guess what it is. Strawberry? . not really!
I extract the juice from the grapes by simmering for one hour
then filtering the juices overnight. Once the juice is cold, I combine it with
sugar, water, and a squeeze of lemon. Then churn it in an ice cream maker, and you have
a vibrant dessert that s perfect after a meal. For a classic Sicilian Sorbetto
taste I add a touch of alcohol like vodka or orange liqueur curacao.
Whether fresh or preserved, Concord grapes are a treat worth savoring, and I am glad
they are not banned for private consumption. For more Italian preserves or homemade
liqueurs, check out the playlist above and don t forget to subscribe.
If I get arrested, you know why!
Dining and Cooking