Term for grape varieties which, in contrast to wine grapes, are mainly grown as eating grapes or for the production of sultanas. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans cultivated special varieties with particularly sweet and large berries, which were the most popular and important fruit not only for the wealthy (alongside figs) but also for the common people. They were not only used for eating, but also as a sweetener for food and drink due to the lack of sugar. Transcaucasia and Central Asia are considered to be the original home. This is where species developed that are considered to be the ancestors of today's table grapes.
Characteristics
Table grapes have different quality criteria to wine grapes. These are loose berries, a beautiful colour, evenly sized and juicy berries with as few or no seeds as possible, thin elastic skin, long berry stalk, firm flesh and shelf life for longer transport. The seedlessness also causes negative characteristics, which are prevented by fertilisation, irrigation and growth-regulating measures. Gibberellins (growth-regulating hormones) are used to produce large berries. Ripening as early as possible is desirable. The sugar content should be at least 130 g/kg of berries (55 °Oe or 11 °KMW).
Over the last 150 years, many new varieties with desirable characteristics have been created worldwide. An important breeding goal is resistance to fungi, so-called PIWI varieties. These are often hybrid crosses of European and American vines. The American species provide the desired resistance to both types of mildew. Cultivation is tied to a warm climate, or they are grown in greenhouses and then marketed all year round. They are pruned back hard in late winter, as winter pruning protects against diseases and ensures a rich yield. As non-climacteric fruit, grapes do not ripen after the harvest.
EU law
Since the EU Wine Market Regulation 2000, table grapes are no longer subject to wine law. Cultivation is therefore no longer tied to predetermined vineyard quantities and is free. Grapes classified as wine grapes may not be marketed as table grapes (only grape varieties that have been classified as such by the wine-growing states - in Austria, the federal states - may be planted for wine production). No Federweißer or Sturm, grape must or wine may be produced from table grapes, not even for personal consumption.
There are also wine grapes that are marketed as eating grapes. These are, for example, Chasselas (Gutedel) and Schiava Grossa (Trollinger). On the market, table grapes are offered in three quality classes: Extra (flawless), I (good quality) and II (marketable). The following requirements apply to all of them: no rot, mould or pest infestation, no visible foreign substances (pesticides, dirt), a natural aromatic film and a sufficient degree of ripeness.
Production quantities
Since 2000, global table grape production has doubled, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. In 2022, a total of 74.5 million tonnes of grapes were processed worldwide.
Pressed grapes: 34.1 million tonnes (45.8%) were used for the production of wine. This resulted in 258 million hectolitres. As a rule of thumb, it can be assumed that 1.3 kg of grapes are needed to produce 1 litre of wine. 3.2 million tonnes (4.3%) were used for the production of grape juice, concentrated grape must and RCGM (rectified grape must concentrate). This resulted in 25 million hectolitres.
Unpressed grapes: of which table grapes with 31.5 million tonnes (42.3%) and sultanas with 5.7 million tonnes (7.7%).
The top five producing countries are China (12.6 million tonnes), India (2.8 million), Turkey (2.2 million), Egypt (1.4 million) and Iran (1.3 million), which together account for 64% of the global total. The other countries in the ranking are Uzbekistan (1.2 million), Italy (1 million), the USA (0.9 million), Brazil (0.8 million) and Peru (0.8 million).
Table grape varieties
Today there are well over a thousand different table grape varieties, 99% of which are new varieties. Some of them are also suitable as ornamental vines. The world's most productive...
