This year’s July field day fulfilled every expectation and in this edition, we share with you the highlights of this great day.
Participants flew in from five continents to be the first to see and taste the exceptional new early ARRA selections as well as selections in advanced stages of evaluation and ARRA grape varieties on the vines.
Existing ARRA growers and growers interested in the ARRA grape varieties attended the field day to observe first-hand the new, very early varieties.
The undoubted stars of the field day were the new generation of early ARRA selections, including some ground-breaking varieties which ripen as much as two to three weeks before Flame Seedless.
The new, very early line of white, red and black grape varieties was genetically derived from many years of meticulous selection for earliness. The development was focused in three directions: White with aromatic flavour, red with brilliant red colour and black with self-colouration and crunchiness
After six years of evaluation, this excellent replacement for early and very early white varieties is in the final stages of evaluation having been tested with great success in various regions of the world with differing climates. Its earliness, combined with excellent colour, eating quality and shelf life results in a winning combination.
Participants made the most of the opportunity to taste the vast array of early ARRA selections and varieties that were presented.
During the guided tours of the vineyards, participants saw commercial plantations of ARRA varieties.
ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29) and ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30), which are planted on a large scale at Giumarra farms, proved themselves yet again with excellency in crop production and prices, much to the satisfaction of farmers from north to south.
ARRA Sugar Drop™(ARRA 30): This sweet and crunchy variety ripened this year between Early Sweet and Sugraone. The guests were impressed by the crunchiness, uniformity and appearance and the sales department of Giumarra was happy with up to 20% increase in box price compared to other whites marketed on the same day.
ARRA Passion Fire™ (ARRA 29): The yield, berry size and eating quality of the ARRA Passion Fire was expressed in the satisfaction of the guests and that of Giumarra which sold this variety up to 25% more than Flame per box.
ARRA 8A-19+4: Planted semi-commercially in Giumarra northern and southern farms for final observation, the yield and great eating quality together with its shiny colour attracted a lot of attention by the visitors.
At the ARD breeding site, the participants also enjoyed the opportunity to see the selections at various stages of evaluation on the vines.
Participants made the most of the opportunity to taste the vast array of early ARRA selections and varieties that were presented.
We would like to thank all the participants who came from near and far, and whose attendance made the event so memorable.
Don’t miss out on these other newsletters:
This variety has large, elongated, intense cherry-coloured berries. With excellent sugar-acid balance, cherry flavour and sensational crunch, ARD 36 CHERRY CRUSH™ is a variety that delights in appearance, taste and eating experience. Proven to be fully rain resistant, the variety also has excellent fertility and exceptional storage ability. It is the ultimate long shipping variety with the best shelf life in the industry. CHERRY CRUSH™ has it all!
Discover the ultimate red variety with ARD 35 – FIRE CRUNCH™. This early-mid variety boasts a unique fire-red colour and crunchy, large berries with a low acid level and well-balanced taste that provide a supreme eating quality. It’s a fertile and easy-to-grow variety with full uniform colour that stays red on the vine, and doesn’t get dark over time, making harvest timing very flexible. This variety also withstands rain and offers unparalleled hanging ability, cold storage capability and shelf-life capacity.
This early red seedless variety offers an exceptional eating quality. It has large, crunchy berries, a medium sized bunch and boasts an excellent natural, full, deep red colour. Although it ripens at the same time as Flame, ARRA Passion Fire surpasses its early counterpart in all other parameters. Good productivity, extraordinary hanging ability, shipping durability and shelf life make it a choice early red.
This very early red variety with its large, sweet berries, ripens naturally 10 days before Flame. The striking full red colour, together with extreme crunch and harmonious flavour make this red a must-have variety. Fire Kiss has proven to be very fertile and grower friendly, as well as bearing great post-harvest and shipping qualities.