ARTISAN GRAPE JUICE

By Amy Griffin

Introduction

Oakencroft Farm owner Amy Griffin focuses her vineyard’s harvest not on wine, but rather on fine grape juices. Like wines, grape juices have subtle but distinct differences depending on the color of the grapes used. Amy Griffin's Virginia farm offers artisan-crafted white and red grape juices made from wine grapes.

About Grape Juice

Different from most common commercial grape juices, which are made from deep purple Concord or green Niagara grapes, Oakencroft's juices are made from Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, and Traminette grapes. Not only does the type of grape used affect flavor, but so do the growing conditions of the grapes, meaning the sophisticated juices made from wine grapes can taste different from year to year, just like wine.

Conclusion

Oakencroft's white Seyval Blanc juice is crisp and sweet with notes of summer melon and honeysuckle. Seyval Blanc grapes also often have citrus undertones. The red Chambourcin juice displays a mildly spicy flavor beneath its rich berry and black cherry notes. Chambourcin wines are often paired with dark chocolate. Oakencroft recommends using its Chambourcin juice as a base for beet gazpacho. Sweet and fruity, the white Traminette grape juice is characterized by ripe-pear high notes and lemon undertones.