Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) MATADOR

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) 'Matador'

A true champion among early varieties featuring giant elongated berries, crunchy flesh, and high resistance to cracking.

The 'Matador' variety is a highly promising blue grapevine that dominates the table grape world primarily due to the record-breaking size of its fruit. It originated from the same successful cross as the 'Alvika' variety but brings an even more robust character. It impresses with visually perfect, heavy bunches and a flavor that is a true delight thanks to its dense and meaty flesh. For growers, its ability to withstand heavy rain without the berries cracking is invaluable.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Gigantic Berries: Extremely large fruits weighing up to 30 g and measuring nearly 5 cm in length.
• Rain Resistance: Berries do not crack even in unfavorable and humid weather.
• Visual Perfection: Large, neat cylindrical bunches weighing up to 1.2 kg.
• Top-tier Texture: The flesh is very dense, meaty, and deliciously crunchy.
• High Resilience: Excellent resistance to fungal diseases and frost.
• Self-fertile and excellent transportability.

Origin and Breeding

• Crossing: Developed by successfully crossing the 'Talizman' x 'Velika' varieties.

Variety Characteristics

Vine and Growth

• Vigor: Strong and vital. Shoots grow vigorously, ensuring rapid leaf area development and vine stability.
• Flowers: Hermaphroditic and self-fertile. The variety does not require a pollinator and has a high pollination success rate.

Bunches and Berries

• Bunches: Large and heavy (average 800 – 1200 g). They have a neat cylindrical shape and are medium-dense, highlighting their market appeal.
• Berries: Record-breaking size (20 – 30 g) with impressive dimensions of approx. 48 x 26 mm. They feature an attractive elongated-oval shape and violet-blue color.
• Flesh and Taste: The flesh is very dense and meaty, both crunchy and juicy. The flavor is harmonious, very sweet, and highly rated.

Resistance and Requirements

• Diseases and Frost: Characterized by high natural resistance to both powdery and downy mildew. It handles winter frosts very well.
• Cracking Resistance: A major asset is the skin's resistance to cracking, even during excessive rainfall just before harvest.

Harvest and Ripening

• Harvest Time: Early variety (115 – 120 days). Ripens in our conditions from mid-August.
• Usage: Due to its transportability and visual beauty, it is perfect for both fresh consumption and commercial sales.