Scuppernongs, and "To Kill a Mockingbird"

[Strawboss]

Just finished "To Kill a Mockingbird", the author mentions the main character eating "scuppernongs" off a neighbors arbor. What the heck are scuppernongs I said. A type of wild grape I found out. Similar to Muscadines which I've had. Anybody here ever had them? Bigger than muscadines and with a bitter skin. BTW, the book is one of the better ones I've ever read, some things, characters, dialogue, life, reminded me of my family in Alabama. 

[Ron Dawg]

Muscadines are deep purple/maroon when fully ripe, like a wild red grape with a very sweet skin. Local people (and a few wineries) make wine out of them.

Scuppernongs are more like wild white grapes with a golden yellow skin when ripe (at least around here in N.Ga). Haven't had them personally, but have seen them. Both are bitter when green.

[lt1]

Great book.  Much better than the movie.

[Strawboss]

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, great book, won all the prizes back in the day, but then, the books are always better. Great movie though too. I have a system of reading what I call "classics". There are many. But I get books that are "must reads" and let them sit for awhile till I get in the mood to read them. This one took awhile. I'll be in Alabama in October, we've picked muscadines, we'll look for these scuppernongs.

[jim_de_hunter]

You must admit though that Gregory Peck was the perfect Atticus Finch.

[Strawboss]

Robert Duvall also made his film debut in the movie as Arthur "Boo" Radley.

[MAN OF BLUES]

StrawB
I believe Arnie, the owner/operator of Markko Vinyards out east in Ridgeville/Conneaut tried growing Scups from old stock vine years ago, and had great difficulty as they don't like ohio's -10* temps...
He grew some muscedine also, and had some success....
Might want to check the vinyard out, it is one of ohio's best..... just saying, 

http://www.markko.com/