The first in a series of new table grape varieties to be produced as part of a major breeding project run by California-based International Fruit Genetics (IFG) has been commercially harvested for the first time.
The trademarked Sweet Surrender variety, a high-quality black, seedless grape, was unveiled this week and is due to go on sale in limited volumes through UK retailer Marks & Spencer.
The variety was bred by David Cain of IFG and was harvested at a farm belonging to Grapery, a leading producer based in Arvin, California.
Grapery owner Jack Pandol – pictured above left with Duncan Macintyre of UK importer MMUK (centre) and Jim Beagle, CEO of Grapery (right) – has been investing in the IFG programme for eight years in an effort to develop new, high quality, seedless table grapes with better flavour.
The company is harvesting the Sweet Surrender variety at sugar levels of 21° brix to allow what it describes as a 'mouth-watering, plum-like flavour' to fully develop on the vine.
New IFG varieties grown by Grapery will be exclusively available from MMUK and the first Sweet Surrender are now being sold in limited volumes in Marks & Spencer stores.
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