Colorful and wonderfully sweet – table grapes are indispensable on the cheese platter, they taste great in a fruit salad, in a cake or on their own. Thanks to the wide range of varieties, they are available all year round. But connoisseurs are well aware of the differences between the individual grape varieties. This guide presents the best of them.
Table of Contents
Quality characteristics of table grapes
Seedless or seeded
Grape seeds are considered very healthy. Among other things, naturopaths extract the anti-inflammatory OPC from the seeds, which is mainly found in red grapes. However, many people find the kernels annoying when they are processed or consumed pure. For this reason, there are now numerous seedless new breeds, which are particularly popular with children. The smaller size of the table grapes in these grape varieties is striking.
resistance
In the wrong location, vines are very susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew or phylloxera. The latter can even destroy entire stocks. In your own garden, the damage is a little less, but a pest infestation is still annoying. However, the self-supporter is not allowed to use fungicides, especially since this would also damage other plants in his garden. If he immediately resorts to resistant grape varieties, he is on the safe side.
The best light varieties
Light table grapes are characterized above all by their fine nutmeg aroma.
Aljoshenkin
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: mid-August
- Hardness to frost: very good
This variety with yellow, crunchy flesh, large, oval grapes and a delicately fruity aroma produces yields of up to 10 kg in some cases. Unfortunately, it is rarely found in Germany. Although it has seeds, it scores with good fungal resistance.
Arcadia
- Origin: Germany
- Ripening time: early September
- Crop yield: up to 1.3 kg per stick
- Frost hardness: good
The large, pointed and oval grapes of the Arkaida variety are only available from Rebschule Schmidt.
Centennial seedless
- Origin: United States
- Ripening time: early September
- Hardness to frost: very good
The cross of Gold x Emperor x Pirovano 75 stands out for its heavily lobed foliage. Its green, thin-skinned grapes are large, oval and tapered. The seedless quality is topped by a wonderful nutmeg aroma.
Beautiful white
- Origin: Moldova
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Hardness to frost: very good
Frumoasa alba is also sold exclusively through the Schmidt Rebschule. The large, round, yellow-green grapes have few seeds and taste pleasantly sweet with a nutmeg aroma.
Romulus
- Origin: America
- Ripening time: early September
- Hardness to frost: very good
From September onwards, small, yellow berries with a thin skin are hidden under the pink-red autumn leaves.
Solotoi Don
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Frost hardness: very good (up to -24°C)
Soltoi Don is a true heavyweight among table grapes. The vines from the crossing Biruinza x Wostorg reach a weight of up to 10 kg. The golden yellow berries taste wonderfully sweet.
Suzi
- Origin: Hungary
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Hardness to frost: very good
From the sweet ones. Crunchy grapes of this variety are often used by winegrowers to make juices.
The best red varieties
Arkadia Rozowa
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: early September
- Frost hardness: very good (up to -23°C)
The crossing of Moldawa x Cardinal is considered a rarity. It has large, oval grapes with seeds and a thin skin. In autumn its foliage turns a handsome red. The berries taste very juicy and delicately fruity.
Kishmish Luchistji
- Origin: Ukraine
- Ripening time: early September
- Hardness to frost: very good
Kishmish Luchistji also produces red fall foliage. However, the berries are oval and small with a hint of rosé. The flesh is crisp and contains no seeds.
Livia
- Origin: Ukraine
- Ripening time: early September
- Hardness to frost: very good
The large, oval, pink-colored grapes of the Liwia variety come from crossing the Flamingo x Arkadia grape varieties. The crunchy flesh has no seeds, has a fine nutmeg aroma and tastes honey-sweet when fully ripe.
Rosowie Tschudo
- Origin: Ukraine
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Hardness to frost: very good
This variety with red autumn leaves and medium-sized, oval, pink berries feels best in a sunny location in front of walls or house walls. At this location, it produces crisp grapes.
Rotate Vitoria
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: mid-August
- Hardness to frost: very good (up to -27°C)
Red Victoria was created from the crossing of SV 12304 x Wostrog. Compared to other grape varieties, the rosé-colored, slightly oval fruits are of significant size and high yield. In addition, the flesh is wonderfully crunchy. In autumn, the Red Victoria shines in red foliage.
Vanessa
- Origin: Canada
- Ripening time: early September
- Frost hardness: good
The large, round grapes of the Vanessa variety have crunchy flesh with a delicately fruity aroma.
Wodograi
- Origin: Ukraine
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Frost hardness: very good (up to -23°C)
Wodograi was created from the varieties Arkadia x Kischmisch lutschistiiund. It produces large, oval grapes with red-purple to rosé skin and crisp flesh. This grape variety also bears red autumn leaves.
The best blue varieties
Blue grape varieties have the most intense flavor.
Chevchenko
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: mid-August
- Frost hardness: good
The Chevchenko variety hides medium-sized, oval grapes with a delicate fruity taste under the red autumn leaves. The fruits have very few seeds.
Michurinsky
- Origin: Russia
- Ripening time: mid-August
- Frost hardness: very good (up to -35°C)
This variety has red foliage in autumn and round clusters that have a thin skin but seeds. Due to the extremely good frost hardness, it also thrives in unfavorable climates. Their delicate pulp is ideal for juicing.
Blue Muscat
- Origin: Switzerland
- Ripening time: early September
- Hardness to frost: very good
The grape variety is considered the most popular among the blue species. It probably owes its reputation to the wonderful nutmeg aroma. The blue grapes form a beautiful contrast to the yellowish foliage in autumn.
Straschinski
- Origin: Moldova
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Frost hardness: very good (up to -25°C)
The large blue grapes of the Straschinski variety weigh up to 12 kg. In warm locations, the foliage turns red in autumn.
Velicka
- Origin: Bulgaria
- Ripening time: mid-September
- Frost hardness: good
Once again a breeding from the grape varieties Bolgar x Alphonse Lavallé. The crunchy, large berries are hidden under red-colored leaves in autumn.
Venus
- Origin: United States
- Ripening time: early September
- Frost hardness: good
Did the Americans just coincidentally name the medium-sized, round Venus table grapes after a goddess? Hardly, because with the red autumn leaves and the finely fruity strawberry aroma, Venus is currently considered the best seedless grape variety.
