Ruby Roman

Ruby Roman is a variety of table grape that is grown and marketed entirely in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is red in color and known for its large size and high sugar content. The Ruby Roman grape is considered a luxury item and is often sold for high prices.

History

The Ruby Roman grape was first developed in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1995, after 14 years of cultivation by the Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Research Institute. The grape was named "Ruby Roman" via public ballot, with "Ruby" representing its color and "Roman" reflecting its aspirational image of something noble, according to the Ishikawa Prefecture.

Characteristics

Ruby Roman grapes are characterized by their large size, with each grape typically weighing 20 grams or more. Some grapes have been known to weigh up to 30 grams. The grapes have a high sugar content, with a minimum sugar content of 18% required for the Ruby Roman designation.

Market

Ruby Roman grapes are marketed as a luxury product. They are often sold in auctions, with the first batch of the season typically fetching the highest prices. In 2016, a bunch of Ruby Roman grapes was sold for 1.1 million yen (approximately $10,000), making it the most expensive bunch of grapes ever sold at that time.

Cultivation

Cultivation of Ruby Roman grapes is strictly controlled to maintain their high quality. The grapes are grown in a specific region of Ishikawa Prefecture and must meet strict criteria for size, sugar content, and color to be sold under the Ruby Roman name.

See also

• List of grape varieties
• Agriculture in Japan