Maula, Egnazia, Daunia, Mesagna and Genusia: these are just some of the 36 table grape varieties for which varietal protection procedures have been initiated at CPVO. These selections were obtained thanks to the agreement between the Nu.Va.U.T (Nuove Varietà di Uva da Tavola) consortium and CREA.
FreshPlaza talked about it with Rocco Perniola, CREA technologist for grape cultivation and oenology in Turi (Bari). "Nu.Va.U.T has been financing these experimentations for the past three years. Vineyards are grown in various areas in Apulia, from the coast to the hinterland. We are waiting for the assessment from the community office, so we can then acquire property rights on at least 12 of the 36 selections."
At the moment, the selections that seem more suitable for the Apulian area are the following: (the parameters below refer to conditions in the CREA experimental vineyard in Turi. The values obtained by other companies have been considerably better.)
Maula: early black seedless variety which ripens in late June. Grapes have an average weight of 6 g, while bunches can reach 270 g and an average length of 25.5 cm. The sugar level is around 15.3 Brix. The average productivity per plant is 6 kg (240 quintals/hectare). Data calculated with a 2.5 m x 1.0 m layout and an investment of 4,000 trees/hectare. Click here for the technical sheet.
Maula variety
Egnazia: black seedless variety known for its productivity and shelf-life. Grapes have an average weight of 5 g, while bunches can reach 600 g with an average length of 30.5 cm (width 12.5 cm). The average productivity per plant is 14 kg (560 quintals/hectare). Click here for the technical sheet.
Daunia: red seedless variety. Average grapes weigh 4.5 g, while bunches weigh 400 g, with an average length of 24.5 cm and a width of 8 cm. The average productivity per plant is 10 kg (400 quintals/hectare). Click here for the technical sheet.
Daunia variety
Mesania: white seedless variety that blossoms between May 20th and 30th, while harvesting goes from early August to mid-September. Grapes weigh 4 g on average, while bunches weigh 460 g (length 30.5 cm, width 8 cm). Click here for the technical sheet.
Mesania variety
Genusia: white seedless grapes that ripens between late August and early October. Grapes weigh 5 g on average while bunches can reach 600 g. Brix level: 18.8°. Click here for the technical sheet.
"The names of the varieties make reference to the territory where they were obtained and selected. The organoleptic qualities we focused on are: productivity and ripening period, skin color, grape size and bunch length. There is still a long way to go, but we are on the right path. These names might appear in markets over the next few years and we will be very pleased, as it will be the fruit of Italian hard work, and Apulian in particular."