Mack Multiples has reinforced its credentials in the field of grape market innovation with an entirely new variety of the fruit hitting stores this week.
It has been working with breeder and grower Anton Caratan and with Darrel Fulmer of Sunfresh International, the owner of the grape’s marketing rights, on late-season white grape Pristine.
Mack received the first commercial volumes of this year’s exported crop from California this week, making it the first to introduce it to the UK market.
Pristine was developed to fill a niche in the US market. Caratan and Fulmer were looking for a late-season white grape that was good enough eating to make a genuine extension to the US season.
The American market favours a large, crunchy berry - something evident in the distinctive characteristics of the Pristine variety.
A very different grape by virtue of its crunchy texture, Pristine is causing something of a stir already in the UK and Mack is conducting research into its potential. If successful, Mack will look to introduce the variety to its growers around the world.
The move follows the announcement that California grape breeder Giumarra Vineyards Corporation is opening up worldwide licensing of its Arra grape varieties.
The programme has developed early, mid- and late-season varieties of red, white and black seedless grapes, all with strict selection criteria, that it expects to rival staple varieties such as Flame, Thompson and Crimson.
In the UK, Mack Multiples, part of the Fresca Group, is the preferred partner of Giumarra Vineyards Corporation, as an advisory and marketing link to join growers with retailers. Mack has helped advise on the UK market and its growers around the world are among the first to plant the Arra varieties.
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