The main difference is that Sunbelt grapes ripen more evenly than Concords in hot weather. Cooperating scientists in California found that Sunbelt produced high quality juice under extremely hot conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. The new variety also appears to be well adapted in northern states, and it is being tested in New York. Trained sensory panelists gave equal ratings for flavor intensity and overall acceptability to Sunbelt and Concord grapes and juice. Impact Southern grape growers now have a variety, Sunbelt, that produces the kind of purple juice that most consumers prefer.
Consumers give equal ratings to juice from Sunbelt and the popular Concord variety.
Sunbelt grapes are now being marketed for juice processing in Arkansas. This new variety is also being planted widely in home gardens in southern Arkansas. Juice from new commercial plantings in New York will be tested in 1999. Issue Consumers of fresh fruit insist on unblemished fruit, which encourages heavy pesticide use by growers to prevent damage to fruit. Fruit processors have very low, and in some cases, zero tolerance for pesticide residue.