You may not know it but Australia has quite a few native members of the grape family (Vitaceae). We’re all familiar with Vitis vinifera (and other table and wine grapes) but less well known is that Australia is home to around 30 members of the Vitaceae family, occurring in all mainland states except South Australia (though I think they make up for it with production of Vitis vinifera).
Australian native grapes have been used for eating and making jam, however sugar content would be too low for wine making (even if you could get enough, they can grow fairly vigorously so be careful where you plant them. The main grapes around the Hunter are:
Slender Grape (Cayratia clematidea), which can be confused with Balloon Vine however Slender Grape has tendrils and fleshy fruit whereas the Balloon Vine has inflated fruits and hairy stems. The fruit are edible, however they do have an unpleasant stinging sensation after about half a dozen. The slender grape has edible tubers which have been eaten after roasting. I’ve tried them raw but they tasted like dishwashing detergent (and don’t ask me how I know what dishwashing detergent tastes like, it just does).
Images from plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Kangaroo Grape, Kangaroo Vine (Cissus antarctica), a very vigorous rainforest climber, recognisable by it’s serrated, furry new leaves (and tendency to grow over everything), again, can cause irritation after a few but apparently can be stewed up with sugar to make dessert or jam. I haven’t found them to be particularly tasty but a mate’s kids would regularly eat them to no apparent ill effect.
