The first commercial crop of UK grapes hit Waitrose this week fresh from the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s estate.
Muscat of Alexandria is grown at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire rather than Spain, Italy or South Africa, where it is traditionally produced.
The crop has been sourced and marketed by British & Brazilian.
Technical director Melissa Jones said: “This is a proud moment for the B&B team. We have a clear strategy to drive and develop a UK fruit offer to meet the demands of an ever more discerning customer looking for locally grown produce. The Chatsworth grapes are an important step in delivering innovation to the grape category and follow in the footsteps of our UK apricot and melon offers.”
Chatsworth head of gardens and park Steve Porter said the fruit had to be tended carefully throughout the year, with up to three gardeners at a time in the glasshouse.
Waitrose fruit buying manager Jocelyn Clarke added: “The English climate is not really suited to growing table grapes so it’s a glorious surprise that these delicious fruits are a little piece of England.”
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