After the first small quantities had already been harvested in previous weeks, the German table grape harvest officially began in week 35. "This year, we are enjoying good quality and relatively large berries," reports Jürgen Winkler from the fruit farm of the same name in the heart of the renowned wine-growing region southwest of Heilbronn. Similar to the alternation in apples, there is a kind of thinning during the grape blossoming in June, during which certain varieties lose some of their fruit. This effect leads to lower yields, especially for the somewhat more sensitive Muscat bleu. "However, as this is one of our popular main varieties, we could have used a little more quantity of this variety in particular."
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
Insights into domestic organic table grape cultivation
The trained winemaker has been dedicated to the cultivation and distribution of organically produced table grapes for over three decades. Over the years, the range of varieties has been continuously adapted to changing cultivation and marketing requirements. "In addition to Muscat bleu, we now grow a handful of main varieties that cover the entire spectrum, including Frumoasa Alba, Fanny, Ontario, and Venus. In addition, we are constantly testing around 20 varieties and are currently having the first trial varieties propagated by our partner." There are two important parameters for table grapes, Winkler continues. "Firstly, they must be as seedless as possible, and secondly, they must also be robust."
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.comJürgen Winkler grows table grapes on around two hectares and markets his produce primarily through direct marketing and to regional health food retailers. The table grapes are available from August to October.
German table grapes have become a niche product
Although table grapes from all over the world are available in stores all year round, fruits of German origin are now only found sporadically. "Some colleagues have stopped growing them in recent years, so that German table grapes have now become a niche product," says Winkler, who also points to the high cost of cultivation. "Due to climate change, table grapes can now only be grown under cover. Accordingly, we have been covering our entire site with plastic sheeting for several years now, and this method, which we developed largely ourselves, has worked particularly well so far."
For more information:
Jürgen Winkler
Wino Bio GmbH
Im Hasenlauf 1
74336 Brackenheim
Fax: 07135 9376711
[email protected]
https://wino.bio/