New hybrid grape excites SW growers

Commercial table grape growers in the South West gathered in Wokalup last Tuesday to taste a new white seedless grape variety which will extend the season for South West grapes by more than a month.

In development for 10 years, the late-ripening CSIRO-bred hybrid which is yet to be named was received with excitement by growers.

Department of Agriculture and Food table grape specialist Colin Gordon described the new variety as sweet and flavorsome.

‘‘It’s a crunchy berry, which consumers like,’’ Mr Gordon said.

‘‘In recent years, consumer taste has swung strongly to seedless grapes, particularly whiteskinned varieties.’’

MrGordon said the variety had performed well during evaluation trials and would suit growerswho were looking for a mid-to-late season white seedless variety with good cool storage capability.

While many Busselton growers continue harvesting as late as May, most South West growers finish a month earlier.

Mr Gordon said the new variety could allow all South West table grape producers to enjoy a longer season.

‘‘Dawn Seedless is one of the most popular for much of the season, but an additional variety that ripens later would be very valuable to the industry,’’ he said.