Seedless grapes are increasingly trendy; however, there are still growers specializing in grapes with seeds, especially in the area of Vinalopó, in the Spanish province of Alicante, and those productions are highly appreciated in Spain, France, and Italy. This season's prospects are positive.
As far as this season is concerned, "we are running a little late. We would normally kick off at the beginning of August, but this year we are starting at the end. There has been a delay in the ripening of the grapes, especially because of the hot weather lately. If it were a little cooler, the fruit would have it easier to ripen and acquire the right color," says Cristina Contreras, sales representative for Uvas El Reclot. "Based on what we are seeing in the plantations, it seems that we will have more kilos of grapes with seeds and good sizes."
© Uvas El Reclot
Even if there's a delay in the harvest, she stresses that "there won't necessarily be an overlap with any other crops. Sales will likely be better because when it is so hot, people are more eager to eat melon and watermelon, so I think it will be good for us to start in September."
Grapes with seeds resist the imposition of the seedless
According to the sales representative, grapes with seeds "are like heroes in the midst of the storm," and their preferred markets are in neighboring countries. "The Aledo variety is exported to France and Italy, but in Spain, it is only sold on New Year's Eve. However, the Doña María and the Red Globe are sold throughout the season in Spain."
© Uvas El Reclot
"Despite this seedless grape trend, grapes with seeds are still going strong thanks to the variety of tastes. Some consumers still prefer grapes with seeds and their traditional, more natural flavor. The Red Globe, Doña María, and Aledo are some seeded grape varieties that are resisting the push from the seedless. We are there for those consumers."
"The Red Globe, a red grape, and the Doña María, a white grape, stand out for their size and sweetness, with a Brix ranging between 17º and 22º. Our annual production amounts to around 1.8 million kilos, depending on the year, the weather, or if there has been enough rain, for example," says Contreras.
"In the past, traditional grapes were the most important, but over the years, they have been modified and grafts have been made to allow the development of seedless grapes. Nevertheless, we remain committed to what is natural and traditional. Grapes with seeds are at the core of our company," says the manager.
© Uvas El Reclot
Bagged grapes from the Vinalopó River
Grapes with the Designation of Origin Uva del Vinalopó are characterized by the fact that they are bagged. "The grape benefits from this and is also protected from wind, birds, and pests. When it is bagged, ripening is halted, but it always has an edge in terms of quality compared to unbagged grapes. We are talking about less rot, healthier fruit, and no insects," says the manager.
"It is a specialized technique, and it is very difficult to find laborers. A bag must be placed over each bunch; it is a job that is done in July with very high temperatures, so the cost is high in the end, but the consumer appreciates it," says the manager.
Uvas El Reclot was founded in 1995 in La Romana, Alicante, and has since been devoted to grape production. Nowadays, it is renowned for remaining committed to seeded grape cultivation under the Designation of Origin Uva del Vinalopó.
For more information:
Cristina Contreras
Uvas El Reclot
Tel.: +34 620 02 84 93
[email protected]
www.elreclot.com