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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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