In Brian Thair’s yard there are some beautiful grape vines climbing up the side of his house. While taking photos I noticed a wasp enjoying some of the Vitis riparia, a grape native to North America. Not Vitis vinifera, the wine grape of history. The variety is “Valiant,” known for its frost hardiness and over wintering. Several frosts “seem” to make the grapes sweeter. Plus the leaves fall off so they are easier to pick. Brian has tried quite a few others over the years. His original vines were a gift in 2001. /SANDRA JAMES
