In Australia, after colonisation, grapes were imported from European varieties. In 1791, the first known and recorded cutting of grapes occurred in New South Wales, in the Governor’s garden in the early summer.
Grapes come in many varieties, with the main categories being seeded and seedless. You can choose from green, red, blue or black grapes as a basic starting point. Some varieties include:
Crimson seedless (red)
Thompson seedless (yellow-green)
Menindee seedless (green-yellow)
Red Globe (pink-red)
The seasonal availability for grapes is from November to May, peaking around February and March.
The best way to select your grapes is to check for white powder coating on the outer skin. This is known as bloom and is a naturally formed barrier against the loss of moisture and rot. The bunches of grapes should have stems that are green and resilient.
The best way to store grapes is to place them inside a plastic vegetable bag with holes. You should then refrigerate the grapes without washing them, to maintain the texture and shelf life. You can rinse the grapes before you use them in your recipes, or when eating them as a snack by themselves. Do not allow bunches of grapes to become squashed up; allow space for them to remain nice and plump and properly formed. Do not store the grapes next to odorous vegetables that give off a pungent aroma, such as onions. The grapes should last about a week in the fridge under the right conditions. 
You can also freeze grapes if you wish to have a frosty snack or otherwise use them in your recipes. A good way to do this is to remove the stems, rinse the grapes and then place them into airtight plastic containers with the lid on. Alternatively, you can use freezer bags. You can also choose to make a syrup for the grapes with sugar and water. Wait until the syrup has cooled and pour it over the grapes and seal into plastic containers with lids. The frozen grape shelf life may be up to one year in the freezer.
Some ides for recipes with grapes include:
Fruit salad – a combination of raw fruits, possibly served with soy cream cheese. [http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/21315/traditional+fruit+salad]
Quinoa salad with roasted grapes and feta – a tasty and healthy meal, suitable for vegetarians. [http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/39568/quinoa+salad+with+roasted+grapes+and+feta]
Candied grapes – for an ultra sweet snack 🙂
