The Italian grape season is still in full swing at importer Nino Ferrari from Brussels. The company that was taken over by the Ringoot Group in March this year, specializes in Italian vegetables and grapes. Sophie Ringoot, taking care of daily management at the company, says that the quality of the grapes is indeed excellent this season.
"We had a bit of a late start due to the cold spring, but we’re looking at a pretty good year all the same. The grapes display a nice healthy colour, have excellent flavour and are exceptionally big this season."
The grapes are marketed under the quality brand Raphael. There are other brands as well, including Vandelia and Deborah, which in terms of quality are not considered inferior to Raphael. Most, if not all of the company’s grapes come from Italy, and are predominantly of the seed-carrying variety. Seedless grapes however, are brought in as well, considering their rise in popularity. "But the strength of the Italian grape,” says Sophie, “is not in the seedless variety. Grapes with seeds have that authentic nutmeg flavour you won’t find anywhere else.”
At the start of the season, in late July, demand exceeded supply, but according to Sophie the market is a quiet one at the moment. "The market is quite difficult due to the lower demand. I think we still feel the consequences of the late spring, which floods the market with all kinds of fruit. I don’t expect the prices to be vastly different than last year though.”
sophie.ringoot@ninoferrari.be