How to make grape jam?

Grape jam is a true sweet treasure that evokes the flavours of autumn and the joys of harvest. Whether you have a lush vine in your garden or are simply a fan of this fruit, making your own grape jam is a rewarding and tasty experience. Moreover, it's an excellent way to preserve the flavour of grapes to enjoy throughout the year.

Discover how to make homemade grape jam, from picking to potting the jam. So, prepare your jars, wooden spoons, and apron!

When to Harvest Grapes?

The ideal time to harvest grapes depends on the variety, climatic conditions, and your taste. In general, grapes are ready to be harvested when the clusters are fully coloured, the berries are juicy, sweet and detach easily. Harvesting usually takes place between late summer and early autumn.
It is recommended to regularly taste the berries to determine the optimal time for harvesting.
Harvest grapes on dry days and in the early morning to obtain tasty and fragrant clusters.

Which Grape Variety to Choose for Jam?

The choice of grape variety for jam depends on your personal preferences regarding taste and texture. For example, table grapes are generally sweeter and have a thinner skin than wine grapes. They are therefore more suitable for jam, as they provide a smoother texture and a sweeter flavour. Feel free to experiment with different types of grapes to find the one that best suits your taste.

Tip: I recommend using seedless varieties to avoid the tedious and lengthy task of removing the seeds.

Seedless Vine 'Sultanica bianca'

The 'Sultanica bianca' vine is a white grape, appreciated for its sweetness and seedless nature. With a very sweet flavour, it is ideal for jams, jellies, and also for making raisins.

'Aperina Nera' Vine

The 'Aperina Nera' vine is a seedless variety that produces large clusters of black, crunchy, juicy, and sweet berries. Ideal for snacking, juice, or tarts and jam.

'Aperina rossa' Vine

The 'Aperina rossa' vine produces beautiful clusters of round grapes, with a purplish-red hue and seedless. This grape is both juicy, fleshy, and deliciously sweet.

→ Discover our different varieties of grape vines

Seedless vine 'Sultanica bianca' - Sultanine — Seedless vine 'Sultanica bianca'

Steps for Making Grape Jam

Before you start: sterilise your jam jars by placing them in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, then let them dry on a clean cloth.

1- Thoroughly wash the grapes under cold water to remove residues, insects, and dust.

2- Detach the grapes from the cluster and remove the seeds if necessary (if you are not using a seedless variety).

3- Place the grapes in a large pot, then add the sugar and lemon juice. Mix well to coat the grapes with sugar.

4- Place the pot over medium heat, then bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the grapes from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

5- Reduce the heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grapes are tender and the mixture has thickened.

6- Pour the hot jam into the sterilised jars, filling them to the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any jam residue.

7- Without delay, seal the jars with sterilised lids. Then turn them upside down and wait for them to cool to room temperature.

Storage

Store the jars of jam in a cool, dark place. They will keep for many months, even up to a year.
Once opened, keep them in the refrigerator and consume within two weeks.