Grape

Grapes were a variety of fruit found in the Realms. When dried up they were known as raisins.

Description
Grapes grew in bubble formations. They were suitable for growing in drier soil.

Availability
Places in the Realms where grapes were known to be cultivated or grow wild included:
 * In east Faerûn's Old Empires region, grapes were cultivated in Chessenta and Mulhorand.
 * In interior Faerûn, people in the Land of the Lions cultivated grapes, such as the citizens of Ankhapur. In Sembia they were cultivated in Saerloon and Selgaunt.
 * Also in interior Faerûn there was cultivation of grapes in Cormyrian settlements, such as Marsember, Terrinton, and Wheloon.
 * In north Faerûn, grapes grew along the Shadow Ridge in Shadowdale.
 * Grapes were cultivated in northwest Faerûn. Such as in the town of Daggerford.
 * In southeast Faerûn's Shining South, grapes were cultivated in Dambrath, Delzimmer, and Tashalar.
 * In west Faerûn, grapes were cultivated in the Western Heartlands, such as in Berdusk and Corm Orp, in the Amnian settlements of Esmeltaran and Imnescar, and in Tethyr's County Calimmon.
 * In the Unapproachable East, grapes were cultivated in Aglarond and in the southern reaches of the Thayan Plateau.
 * In the Hordelands, grapes were cultivated along Delmyr's slopes and in the Merket Depression. Wild grapes could be found growing in the Katakoro Plateau,
 * In the Crowded Sea, grapes were cultivated on the isle of Masud Jazayir.

Beyond Toril

 * In the plane of Arborea, grapes grew in along the hills of the layer Olympus and over runned the palace of Dionysus.
 * Grapes could be found in the land of Barovia.

Species

 * Blue Eyes grapes: a variety of grapes named for their color, these were specially cultivated by halflings in Corm Orp to make sour wines.
 * Feywild grapes: grapes endemic to the Feywild. These were so lush that even when dried and made into raisins they retained the same essence and potential. When one of these raisins were stirred into a goblet of water they would dissolve and instantly ferment, turning the mixture into wine.
 * Fire grapes: grapes endemic to the plane of Phlegethos.
 * Marsember grapes: grapes endemic to the land of Marsember. They carried the fragrant salty air of the Sea of Fallen Stars.
 * Tashalaran grapes: high quality grapes endemic to the country of Tashalar.

History
In, the vine-blight ravished many grape orchards in Faerûn, depriving people that year of wine.

Around the 14 century DR, Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue sold a variety of grape products. These included raisins from the lands of Berdusk, Saerloon, and Selgaunt for five gold pieces, one gold piece, and five silver pieces respectively. As well as brandied grapes from Imnescar, fruitcakes that contained raisins, spiced wines made with raisins, and winter wine.

Notable Grape Products

 * Throughout the Realms grapes were pressed into a fluid form to create a wide variety of wines.
 * In the Cormyrian city of Arabel, grapes were used to make a wine known as Arabellan Dry.
 * In Berdusk, grapes were used to make a wine known as Berduskan Dark.
 * In the nation of Aglarond, grapes were used to make blood wine.
 * Grapes grown in the Merket Depression were used to make sweet wines.
 * In the Old Empires region, grapes were used to make Fire Wine.
 * The fire grapes of Phlegethos Were used to make infernal wine.
 * In the Unapproachable East, the Wychlaran used grapes specially grown on plantations near the city of Urling to make jhuild.
 * In the Sembian city of Saerloon, grapes were used to make a variety of wines that included Saerloonian Glowfire, Saerloonian Special Vat, and Saerloonian Topaz.
 * In Calimshan and Tethyr, some varieties of spiced wine were made with raisins.
 * In the North, people made Winter Wine by allowing grapes to freeze on the vine before harvesting and then crushing them.
 * In the wine making process there were always grape skins left behind. These wet mashes were often used as a form of marinade for meats.
 * Grapes were used by halflings in Corm Orp to make dyes for export.
 * Grapes were used to make fruit jellies in the Shining South and Lands of Intrigue.
 * Grapes were part of the recipe for the dish Ladies' Fowl.
 * Raisins were often used in fruitcakes.
 * The Shad'iar, the nomadic tribes of the Land of the Lions, used grapes in the brewing of a beverage they called hadii.

Notable Users

 * The Bacchae typically wore vegetative crowns that were sometimes made of grape leaves.
 * Many elven cities and towns cultivated grapes.
 * A halfling dinner often features table grapes.
 * Raisins were a popular handfood in the Western Heartlands and along the coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars.
 * Raisins were a common food item in Zakhara. In many of the bazaars throughout Zakhara, one could barter between 1 and 3 silver pieces for  of raisins.
 * The Red Sheaf and the Twelve Dancing Knights served their patrons grapes.

Trivia

 * The city of Nimpeth had a militia known as the Company of the Crushed Grapes.Vilhon Reach
 * The coat of arms of the Ravenian noble family Cathone was a cluster of grapes hanging downward.
 * Winemaker genies were tasked genies whose lives were dedicated to nurturing grape vines and making wine from them. They used their long trunks to crush them. They drape themselves in grape leaves during the growing season.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds • Ronin Challenge • Assassin Mountain • A Dozen and One Adventures • Marco Volo: Journey • Reunion • Curse of Strahd
 * Novels
 * The Wyvern's Spur • Masquerades • Tymora's Luck • Errand of Mercy • The Halls of Stormweather • Stardeep • Undead
 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate III