The Storable Giant and the Resistant Muscat: Introducing the Table Grapes 'Kishmish Moldavskij' and 'Palatina

28 Mar

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The Storable Giant and the Resistant Muscat: Introducing the Table Grapes 'Kishmish Moldavskij' and 'Palatina'

The choice of table grapes for your garden depends on your priorities. Some growers look for absolute maintenance-free cultivation and early harvest, while others prefer huge seedless bunches that will retain their quality for months after harvest. For the Spring 2026 season, we have included two varieties in our offer that represent exactly these two different approaches to perfection: the Moldovan 'Kishmish Moldavskij' and the Hungarian 'Palatina'.

“While 'Palatina' is a dream come true for chemical-free organic growing, 'Kishmish' is a commercial and visual miracle that will allow you to eat fresh grapes from your own garden even in the middle of winter.”

1. 'Kishmish Moldavskij': The Seedless King of Southern Slopes

The variety 'Kishmish Moldavskij' from the Moldovan institute NPO "Vierul" is a classic seedless variety created by crossing 'Pobeda' x 'Kishmish rozovyj'. It is intended for patient growers in warmer areas.

Why will you fall in love with it?

Its greatest visual attraction is the large bunches (around 600 g) with attractive light purple berries, which are covered with a thick waxy bloom. The taste is harmonious, with firm and crunchy seedless flesh, making it perfect for fresh consumption.

A Winter Treasure in the Cellar

What makes this variety absolutely exceptional is its storability. The fruits tolerate transport excellently and, under the right cold storage conditions, will stay fresh for an incredible 180 days (half a year) after harvest.

Growing Challenges

This variety demands heat. It is mid-late and needs a high sum of active temperatures to ripen (SAT around 2800 °C), so it is suitable only for more southern, warmer wine-growing regions. It is more susceptible to downy mildew and grey mold (botrytis), especially if the berries are damaged by the grape moth, so it requires rigorous phytosanitary protection.

2. 'Palatina' (August Muscat): A Sure Thing for Eco-Gardens

At the opposite end of the growing spectrum stands the Hungarian variety 'Palatina' (often referred to as Palatina R, where "R" stands for resistance). It was created in 1966 by crossing a French interspecific hybrid with the 'Queen of the Vineyards' variety.

Crunchy Muscat Without Sprays

As its Hungarian synonym (August Muscat) suggests, it ripens very early – already in the second half of August. The berries are amber-yellow, crunchy, and have a very pleasant, distinct muscat aroma. Seeds are present, but they are very small and almost unnoticeable when eating.

Health Without Effort

'Palatina' is a highly resistant variety. It is very resistant to downy and powdery mildew, and its berries are not prone to rotting. It is an ideal choice for home gardens where you want to avoid chemical sprays. Moreover, it handles drought excellently and is undemanding to soil.

Cultivation: The vine has strong growth and creates airy foliage. It is tailor-made for training on pergolas and high trellises. Long pruning is recommended.

Quick Comparison: Two Different Worlds

Feature	Kishmish Moldavskij	Palatina
Color and Seeds	Light purple, Seedless	Amber-yellow, Few seeds
Ripening Time	Mid-late (requires heat)	Early (from mid-August)
Taste	Harmonious, crunchy	Distinct Muscat
Main Advantage	Extreme storability (180 days)	High disease resistance (BIO)

Conclusion

While 'Palatina' is a safe bet for any gardener who wants delicious, early, and low-maintenance grapes for a pergola, 'Kishmish Moldavskij' is a challenge for connoisseurs in warm regions who want to harvest professional, seedless, and long-storing bunches. Both varieties will take the level of your home fruit growing a step forward.