Before they ripen, what are grape berries like?

Grape berries before they ripen are characterized by being small, green, and hard. At this stage, the grapes have not yet developed the sugars or flavors associated with ripe fruit, which is why they are firm and lack the juicy texture and sweetness found in mature grapes.

The green color indicates that the fruit is still in the early stages of growth, and the hardness reflects that they have not yet undergone the physiological changes needed for ripening, such as sugar accumulation and softening. This is a natural progression in the life cycle of a grape, as they transition from this immature state to the ripe, sweet berries that are harvested for winemaking.

Understanding the characteristics of grapes at different stages helps in recognizing the processes involved in viticulture and winemaking, as well as how grape ripeness affects the final wine attributes.