After a gap of almost two years, the ‘exhibition-cum-sale’ of grape varieties has finally begun at Grape Research Station Rajendranagar. The Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University has opened the gates of research station for the grape lovers on Saturday. The most amusing part of this exhibition is the opportunity to take away the delicious fruits simply by plucking it through our own hands.
In an unruffled environment, the grape research station is located just two kilometres away from Dairy Farm Cross Road, Pillar No. 215, in Rajendranagar.
The festival began on February 19 and witnessed the arena bursting into seams even today with people irrespective of age and gender turned to have a glimpse of the yard and to taste the variety of grapes hanging from the vines. However, unlike last year where the festival continues for almost 10 days, the grape festival will last only for three day as the officials are planning to pull the curtains down on Monday as the garden appears bereft of the fruit in just two days of time.
According to officials nearly 35 varieties of grapes have been raised in the research station. Apart from raisin varieties like Kishmish Rozaviz White, Merbein Seedless, Thompson Seedless and 2A Clone, the juice varieties such as ARI516 or MACS 516, Gulabi X Bangalore (Purple), Manjari Medika, Arka Shyam, Concord and Bangalore Blue are also cultivated to promote fruit among farmers.”
Wine varieties such as Shiraz (Red Wine), Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine), Zinfandel (Red Wine), Chenin Blanc (white wine) and Sauvignon Blanc (White Wine) help prepare revitalised cocktails. However, Manjari Shyam (A-18/3), Fantasy Seedless, Red Globe, Nana Saheb Purple Seedless, Crimson Seedless and Sharad Seedless are table varieties.
Priyanka Varghese, IFS, OSD (Haritha Haram) to Chief Minister along with Dr.D.Vijaya, Head Grape Research Station Rajendranagar went round the room to enquire about the varieties of grapes at the research station. She was seen fascinated with the seething arena bursting into seams with the visitors from different walks of life.
However, the disappointing part of the festival is that the grape lovers have to wait for the next festive season to enjoy the luscious variety of ‘Anab-e-Shahi,’ the grape variety introduced in Hyderabad by Abdul Baquer Khan from the Middle East somewhere around 1890. It is said that the vines have failed to bear fruit this year due to volatile climatic conditions.