GRAPE
ORIGINS

The species Vins vinifera, to which vines grown for grape production belong, appears to originate from the area between western Asia, Europe and northern Africa, and is thus called the Asian-European vine. The Phoenicians brought it to Europe (France) in 600 B.C., while the Romans took it to Germany in the second century a.D.

GRAPE CULTIVATION

The worldwide production of table grapes is over 7 million tons, of which 20% (over 1.5 million) come from Italy, which is the record producer.
Over 65% of Italian production (thus nearly one million tons) comes from Apulia; the second most important region is Sicily, which offers 25% of the domestic harvest.
The most widespread crops are Alfonso Lavallée, Cardinal, Italia, Panse precocious, Regina dei Vigneti, Regina bianca and Regina nera. Other varieties are also interesting, such as Red Flame and King's Ruby.

THE GRAPE CALENDAR

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period              
Market presence          


CONSUMPTION AND STORAGE

Grapes are highly digestible and have a number of therapeutic properties: firstly, they are laxative and diuretic. They are useful in fighting dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, stones in the urinary tract and bile ducts,. They also activate liver functions, ease digestion, help reduce the cholesterol level of the blood and eliminate uric acid.
Grapes are also disinfectant and antiviral, aid the nervous system, are useful in processes that demineralize the body such as pregnancy and nursing.
To take best advantage of its therapeutic virtues, it should be eaten in the morning on an empty stomach. A natural tonic and detoxicant, grape therapy involves a diet which leads progressively to eating only grapes throughout the day, gradually replacing other foods.
Its juice is used in cosmetics to bleach and soften the skin.
As well as being eaten fresh, grapes are used to prepare various desserts, jams, gelatins and sorbets.
It may be stored for up to six weeks at a temperature of 0-1 °C and a relative humidity of 85-90%.


NUTRITIONAL AND ENERGY INFORMATION FOR GRAPE
(100 grams of product)

Edible part94 %
Water80.3 g
Proteins0.5 g
Lipids0.1 g
Glucides15.6 g
Fiber1.5 g
Energy61 kcal
Sodium1 mg
Potassium192 mg
Iron0.4 mg
Calcium27 mg
Phosphorus4 mg
Niacin0.1 mg
Vitamin C6 mg
Source: National Nutrition Institute


RECIPE

Grape Pie

Ingredients for 6 people: 300 g frozen shortbread, 50 g red grapes, 50 g white grapes, 50 g raisins, 1 cup sultana raisins, rum. For the custard: 4 egg yolks, 4 tablespoons sugar, ½ liter milk, the zest of 1 lemon and 2 tablespoons flour.

Beat the egg yolks, sugar, and flour in a non-stick pan; add the milk and lemon zest last. Heat for around twenty minutes, until the cream has thickened, then allow to cool and add the three tablespoons rum. Meanwhile, roll out the shortbread on a pie plate and bake in a hot oven for around twenty minutes.
Remove the crust from the oven, allow to cool and poor the rum cream over it. Arrange the grapes and raisins (softened in rum) to taste over the top.

ITALIA

Obtained by crossing the Bicane and Hamburg Muscatel grapes, Italia is certainly one of the most popular varieties of table grapes for both its appearance and flavor, as well as its hardiness in withstanding handling and shipping.
Italia grapes have large, consistent fruit with a lovely golden yellow color, and a delicate, pleasant musky flavor.

THE CALENDAR FOR ITALIA VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                    
Market presence              


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Large, oval grapes, with a medium-thickness pruinous peel.

Colour
Golden yellow

Shape
Large, tapered, pyramid-shaped bunches

Flavor and texture
Crisp, sweet pulp with a delicate musk flavor.
Thick, consistent pruinous peel.

Refraction index
Consumption: >=15

Sale period
Late August through the end of December

Storage
Stores well, although it is recommended to eat grapes within a few days of purchasing them.

Handling
This is a variety that withstands handling and shipping quite well.

Things to avoid
It is best not to overturn crates.

Avoid sharp temperature changes. Display limited amounts of fruit at a time.

REGINA

The Regina is one of the most ancient and common varieties of table grapes, with many local nicknames. It is called Pergolone in Abruzzo, Inzolia Imperiale in Sicily, Mennavacca in southern Italy, Aleppo in Romania and Razaki in Greece.
It is certainly of Eastern origin, perhaps Syria, and was introduced to Italy by the ancient Romans, who held it in high regard. Even today it is much appreciated by consumers for its pleasant appearance and excellent flavor.

THE CALENDAR FOR REGINA VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                  
Market presence                  


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Large, elliptical grapes, with a medium-thickness pruinous peel.

Colour
Golden yellow

Shape
Large, long, pyramid-shaped or cylindrical bunches

Flavor and texture
Crisp, sweet pulp with a neutral flavor.
Each grape generally contains two pips.

Refraction index
Consumption: >=15

Sale period
August through October

Storage
Stores well, although it is recommended to eat grapes within a few days of purchasing them.

Handling
This variety is fairly resistant to handling.

Things to avoid
It is best not to overturn crates.

Avoid sharp temperature changes. Display limited amounts of fruit at a time.

PALIERI

Achieved by Michele Palieri in Velletri (Rome) by crossing Alfonso Lavallée and Red Malaga, this variety adapts well to expanded vineyards, and should be cropped fairly short.
The Palieri variety has attractive bunches, violet-black in color. Consumers appreciate its sweet pulp.
Palieri grapes are quite sensitive to rotting.

THE CALENDAR FOR PALIERI VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                
Market presence                


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Fairly large grapes, oval with a medium-thickness pruinous peel.
Firm, fairly resistant pulp.

Colour
Purple-black

Shape
Large, cylindrical/pyramid-shaped bunches

Flavor and texture
Firm pulp with a pleasantly sweet flavor.
Pruinous peel, fairly resistant grape.

Refraction index
Consumption: >=16

Sale period
Late July through the end of October

Storage
Stores well, although it is recommended to eat grapes within a few days of purchasing them.

Handling
This variety resists handling and shipping quite well.

Things to avoid
It is best not to overturn crates.

Avoid sharp temperature changes. Display limited amounts of fruit at a time.

CARDINAL

Achieved in 1939 at the Horticulture Station in Fresno, California, the Cardinal is considered one of the best varieties of early grapes, although it is not very resistant to handling and shipping.
This aspect is evident even on the plant: Cardinal grapes must be harvested immediately once they have reached their peak ripeness.
Cardinal grapes have fairly large bunches, with an attractive violet-red color.

THE CALENDAR FOR CARDINAL VARIETY

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                  
Market presence                  


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Elongated bunches, with medium-large grapes.
Medium-thickness peel, pruinous with fairly crisp pulp.

Colour
Violet-red

Shape
Fairly large, elongated, cylindrical-tapered bunches

Flavor and texture
Crisp pulp with a pleasantly sweet flavor.
2-3 pips per grape.

Refraction index
Consumption: >=14

Sale period
July through September

Storage
Stores well, although it is recommended to eat grapes within a few days of purchasing them.

Handling
This variety is very delicate, and thus does not withstand handling or shipping well.

Things to avoid
Avoid sharp temperature changes and excessive handling.
Display limited amounts of fruit at a time.

SEEDLESS GRAPE VARIETIES

Among the most priced and appreciated varieties of seedless table grapes are Perlon (obtained in Argentina by crossing Emperador and Perlette), and Pasiga (obtained in Argentina by crossing Lavallée and Sultanina) for red grapes, and the white grapes Sugraone and Centennial (both originally from California) and Sublime.
Extremely vigorous, these seedless varieties adapt well to expanded vineyards and prefer vigorous stocks.

THE CALENDAR FOR SEEDLESS GRAPE VARIETIES

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Harvest period                      
Market presence                    


MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance
Medium-large grapes, oval with pruinous peel.

Colour
From dark violet to golden yellow

Shape
Tapered or truncated-tapered bunches with average weight between 500 and 700 grams

Flavor and texture
Fairly meaty, crisp pulp with neutral or slightly aromatic flavor.
The sugar content of must ranges from 13 to 14% while the total acidity varies from 5 to 6/1000.

Sale period
August through September

Storage
Stores well, although it is recommended to eat grapes within a few days of purchasing them.

Handling
These varieties resist shipping well.

Things to avoid
It is best not to overturn crates.

Avoid sharp temperature changes. Display limited amounts of fruit at a time.

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