Grape Varieties for Table Grapes
This section describes the grape varieties recommended by FassadenGrün, all of which are fungus-tolerant (please note: until further notice we no longer sell grapevines). It may assist you in putting together your own custom designed vineyard and Trellis Systems!
The images of the grapes were taken predominantly in the grapevine research station Radebeul near Dresden, but always in an open-air environment in Saxony. A 10-cent piece (20mm diameter) has been inserted into each grape bunch for size comparison.
Table grapes are destined to be eaten, consumed at the table or, in German, at the "Tafel," which has a rather lavish connotation. In contrast to wine grapes they are juicy and have large berries. However, some varieties can be made into wine and be eaten as well. The indicated ripening seasons of the grape varieties take into account an average fruit yield and relate to the (open-air) environment in the region of Leipzig (annual average of 8.8 degrees Celsius). They indicate the time when the grapes have reached the optimal ripeness for consumption, in other words when their sugar content is high enough to make for delicious eating. The maturation for pressing grapes requires particularly high sugar contents (degrees "Oechsle") and occurs another 3-4 weeks later. Grown along a wall in full sun, in a well protected city garden or in any other suitable Position , the optimal ripeness for consumption of table grapes can occur 1-3 weeks earlier. And: by planting a variety of grapes with different ripening times you can extend your grape season!
If not described otherwise and based on an average fruit yield, all listed grape varieties should be sufficiently frost-resistant in our local climatic zone 7a (6b) and even cooler regions.
Important: No grape varieties described here have the so-called "wild strawberry-aroma," which is really a euphemism for the "foxy" flavour so common in many American grapes, which may be perceived as interesting, but at the same time also as astringent and acrid. The occasional muscat flavour of the grapes listed here is purely a slightly spicy note in an otherwise neutral fruit flavour of the berries.
"Phoenix"
Characteristic: "Phoenix" was bred for wine-making from "Bacchus" x "Villard blanc," and is suitable for table grapes. "Phoenix" is a robust and vigorous grape variety for sunny southeast to west walls. Fungus-tolerant, without particular soil requirements, reliable flowering, hence a reliable yearly producer of large quantities of fruit. It is also suitable as a freestanding plant and for pergola greening in positions open to the wind. Usually beautiful yellow autumn colour of foliage.
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, large, approx. 15cm long, very compact, with berries often tightly packed, high yield (weight to be considered for trellis design and vine training).
Berries: green to yellow-green, also grey-yellow, approx. 1.5 to 2cm, taste tartish-sweet to very sweet with a slight muscat aroma, thin skin, the few pips don't affect eating pleasure.
Ripeness for consumption: mid-early, approx. beginning of September, heavy rains during ripening after a long dry spell can cause the berries to split and consequently rot, so you will need to harvest quickly (wasps will also be attracted!). Preferably no more watering as from August.
NOTE: "Phoenix" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
Blue Muscat (Muscat Bleu)
Characteristic: "Blue Muscat" is a Swiss variety bred from "Garnier 15/6" x "Seyve-Villard 20-347" and is currently one of the most popular table grape varieties for residential gardens, walls etc due to their very attractive fruit. It is a grapevine for sunny southeast to west walls and is highly resistant against powdery and downy mildew. It is also suitable as free-standing plant and to cover pergolas in a sunny though somewhat sheltered position, because it flowers only moderately. Autumn foliage is not red but yellow!
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, large, 15 to 20cm long, loosely branched
Berries: turning blue from midsummer, ellipsoidal, approx. 1.5 to 2cm, sweet with muscat aroma, which eventually disappears if berries are left on the vine for an extended period of time after maturation. Few pips, approx. 1-2 pips per berry. The thick skin provides a slight protection against wasps and usually does not affect eating.
Ripeness for consumption: early, occasionally already from end of August
NOTE: The registration of the "Blue Muscat" variety has not been completely clarified. In Switzerland, the variety is occasionally used for pressing.
"Regent"
Characteristic: "Regent" was bred for winemaking from "Diana" x "Chambourcin," and is suitable - with some reservations - for table grapes (small berries). A robust vine of medium vigour for sunny southeast to west walls. Fungus-tolerant to powdery mildew, but slightly susceptible to downy mildew. Flowering moderate to good. Particularly frost hardy due to the naturally smaller fruit, and because lay people never prune vines enough and leave too much fruit on the vines, frost is not a big problem. Therefore this variety is also suitable for pot cultivation. Leaves are partially red in autumn. "Regent" is relatively unproblematic to cultivate! Watering can increase the berry size.
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, 10 to 15cm long
Berries: turning blue from midsummer, 1.0 to 1.5 cm, taste fruity sweet, thick skin, berries occasionally drop off about 4 weeks after maturation, so timely harvest is crucial.
Ripeness for consumption: median, from around mid-September
NOTE: "Regent" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
"Palatina"
Character: "Palatina" is a cross between the "Queen of Vineyards" and the fungus-resistant "Seyve Villard 12-375." A fungus-tolerant, vigorous table grape for sunny southeast to west walls, for pergola, fence, staked freestanding etc. Good, reliable flowering. Overall very robust, attractive fruit with excellent presentation quality!
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, medium size, 15-20cm long, regular high yield.
Berries: green-yellow to golden-yellow with a touch of red, very attractive colour when fully mature! Medium to large size, diameter ca. 1.5-2.0cm, taste fruity and very sweet. Very few pips, 1-2 relatively small pips per berry. Skin does not affect eating.
Winner during a Bavarian grape tasting of approximately 30 fungus-tolerant table grape varieties.
Ripeness for consumption: early, around beginning of September. Can remain on the vine for another 3-4 weeks.
NOTE: "Palatina" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
"Birstaler Muscat" ("Birchstaler Muscat")
Characteristic: "Birstaler Muscat" is a cross between the extremely high fruit-yielding "Bacchus" and the fungus-resistant "Seyval Blanc," universally usable for table grapes, and particularly recommended for commercial organic cultivation due to the unusually high fungus resistance (even in humid years, in regions with generally high humidity such as North Germany and areas where mildew affected vines in the neighbourhood jeopardise other nearby grapevines, such as in wine-growing regions). The high fungus resistance makes this grape also ideal for cultivation in a glasshouse or plastic tent! In addition to that, flowering is very good and reliable, making it also suitable for cultivation on wind exposed sites. Another advantage is the fact that the grapes can hang on the vines for a long time after full maturation. Apart from that, same as per "Palatina." The pictured grape from the research garden Radebeul stems from a non-thinned plant, hence the relatively small berries.
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, medium to large size, 15 to 25 cm long, berries loosely arranged. Yield is regularly very high, manual thinning to 1-2 grape bunches per
cane immediately after flowering is necessary for good berry size and to promote the ripening process.
Berries: green-yellow to yellow, medium size, diameter approx. 1.5-2.0cm, taste fruity sweet with a delicate muscat aroma, very few pips.
Ripeness for consumption: early, around beginning of September. Can remain on canes for a little longer (about 4-6 weeks) and be harvested gradually.
NOTE: "Birstaler Muscat" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
"Theresa"
Characteristic: "Theresa" is a late ripening Hungarian table grape bred from "Eger 2" x "Olympia" and has particularly large berries. A fungus-tolerant grape for sunny south to west walls without much shade, ie for optimal, sheltered Position. Moderately suitable as staked freestanding plant (ie without a wall) and for pergola greening in a sunny position, sheltered from wind, up to about 150m altitude. On house façades even up to 350m altitude. Due to the late ripening, wasp attack is hardly a problem, hence this grape is optimal for busy pedestrian areas such as house entrances!
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, very large, 20-30cm long, loosely branched, an absolute "show off" grape "like from the supermarket," the fruit needs strongly initial thinning, which, if necessary, repeated more moderately at a later stage.
Berries: yellow-green to grey-yellow, at full maturity also yellow with a touch of pink, ellipsoidal, approx. 2.0 to 3.0cm, tartish-sweet to very fruity and sweet, taste improves continuously during the long ripening process. Very few pips.
Ripeness for consumption: late, from mid-September, occasionally until November, the fruit can and should remain on the canes for a long time to reach full ripeness. Occasionally it is necessary to thin out the grapes to one bunch per cane, combined with a uniform pre-harvest as soon as they are ready to eat. This will ensure that the remaining grapes can ripen better and also promotes lignification of the canes.
SPECIAL NOTES: this grape is fruiting better (especially in the first years) with Rod Pruning or Cane Pruning, which needs to be considered in the trellis design. In the first years this grapevine tends to overcrop (too much fruit set), which necessitates thorough thinning. Due to the late maturity, plants may be susceptible to heat stress or "sunburn" and the associated berry wilting during early summer, especially if the weather changes suddenly to intense solar radiation and high temperatures. At such times, additional watering may be helpful. In addition, canopy thinning around the grapes - if at all - should be carried out in late summer, not all at once, but gradually at 2-3 intervals. In late summer, some berries tend to split after watering during the ripening process, hence the vines must not be watered as from August.
NOTE: "Theresa" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
"Esther" (Ester)
Characteristic: "Esther" is a fungus-tolerant Hungarian variety bred from "Eger 2" x "Magaracsi Esemege." The comparatively very early maturation makes it also suitable for less ideal positions (North Germany, high altitudes, open land with partial shade etc). A rather sheltered position is beneficial, as it is slightly susceptible to "shatter" and poor fruit set. Blazing red autumn foliage! This grape has an excellent mild taste and very few pips, indeed is regarded as almost pip- or seedless. However, this pleasant taste and the early maturation are also appreciated by wasps.. Growth is of medium vigour, and "Esther" is highly frost-hardy.
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, 10-20cm long, clearly "shouldered"
Berries: dark blue, 1.5 to 2.0cm, mild and very balanced flavour, crunchy, extremely few pips (0-1 pip, rarely 2 per berry), the smaller berries within the grape are usually free of pips.
Ripeness for consumption: very early, usually from end of August
NOTE: "Esther" is a registered variety, propagation is prohibited!
"Mitschurinski"
Characteristic: "Mitschurinski" was bred in the former Soviet Union as a table grape for colder regions and its name honours the famous Russian breeder Mitschurin. This grape was developed by crossing a pollen mix from mid-European grapevines, amongst others most likely "Muskattrollinger" with the highly frost-resistant Amur Grape "Vitis amurensis" and was cultivated to some extent in former East Germany. It is only moderately fungus-tolerant, and susceptible to powdery mildew especially in the vicinity of wine-growing areas (high risk of attack). Its value lies in the short growing time, the associated early maturation and its very high frost hardiness (to -35 degrees Celsius!), which makes it suitable for less optimal Positions, such as low mountain ranges. However, for the lowlands other varieties described in this section are preferable. Can be grown as staked freestanding plant up to about 400m altitude. Up to 700m altitude it should be only planted against sunny, sheltered walls. In enclosed valleys (cold air lakes) it is susceptible to late frosts, in wind exposed positions prone to "shatter" / poor fruit set. From late summer foliage turns yellow. Average but consistent yield.
Grapes: from 2nd or 3rd year, 15 to 20cm long, typically reddish pedicels (stalks), loosely arranged berries, moderately suitable for transport and storage, singular berries remain small and green due to poor fruit set.
Berries: from mid-summer turning blue, split-resistant, 1.0 to1.8cm, strong skin, flavour mild and neutral, little acidity, fruity-sweet, minimally susceptible to wasp attack due to strong skin, which affects eating only minimally.
Ripeness for consumption: early to very early, in the lowlands from about August, low mountain ranges from September.
