Italia White Table Grapes 1 kg

Organic

Producer: Vito Orobello Botanical name: Vitis vinifera L. ‘Italia’

Vito Orobello cultivates his grapes at San Giuseppe Jato in the province of Palermo.His family farm has practised organic agriculture for more than 30 years, first underhis father, then Vito and now, whenever possible, with the help of his two daughters.

Vito manages approximately six hectares. Almost one hectare is devoted to RedGlobe table grapes, while a smaller planting of Italia has been added more recently.The remaining land is occupied by the family’s olive groves and rotations of ancientgrains, including Timilia, vetch and other forage crops. Sowing vetch every two orthree years replenishes nitrogen naturally, helping to preserve the fertility andbiological balance of the soil. 

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Italia is the proper name of the grape variety and therefore remains untranslated. Itwas created in 1911 by the Italian grape breeders Luigi and Alberto Pirovano from acrossing of Bicane with Muscat of Hamburg. Initially identified by the rather lesspoetic breeding number Pirovano 65, it was later given the name Italia. It is alsoknown elsewhere as Ideal, Doña Sofía and Italian Muscat.

The variety was reportedly almost discarded during its development. Only after itsbehaviour had been observed in different growing environments did its exceptionalqualities become apparent. It subsequently became one of the world’s most admiredand widely cultivated seeded table grapes. 

FLAVOUR AND HARVEST

Italia produces handsome, generously proportioned bunches of large, oval berries.Their skin ranges from pale green to straw yellow, acquiring beautiful golden oramber tones as the fruit ripens. A natural whitish bloom on the skin protects theberry and is also a sign of freshness.

The flesh is firm, crisp and exceptionally juicy, with a full sweetness and a distinctiveyet delicate Muscat fragrance inherited from its Muscat of Hamburg parent. Unlikemany contemporary table grapes, Italia contains seeds, an integral part of thistraditional variety.

Harvested from late summer into autumn, Italia combines beauty with excellentkeeping qualities. It is magnificent served whole, particularly alongside cheese,almonds or other fruit of late summer: a grape whose name, fragrance and goldenappearance have made it an enduring emblem of Italian table grape culture.