Description
Shine Muscat is a premium Japanese table grape released in 2003 by NARO, Japan's national agricultural research organisation, from Akitsu-21 (Steuben × Muscat of Alexandria) crossed with Hakunan. Its large, yellow-green berries are crisp, sweet and low in acid, with a clear Muscat aroma and a thin skin that can be eaten. It ripens in mid to late August in Japan, about with Kyoho, and the berries do not crack easily.
Characteristics
Yellow-green table grape; large crisp berries with Muscat aroma; edible skin; low acidity; seeded unless treated with gibberellin; ripens mid–late August in Japan
Growing Tips
Shine Muscat is naturally seeded, and the seedless fruit in shops is produced with gibberellin treatments at full bloom and again 10–15 days later, which also enlarges the berries to around 12 g. It is vigorous, roughly as cold-hardy as Kyoho, and tolerant of ripe rot, downy mildew and powdery mildew, but sensitive to anthracnose, so protect young shoots in wet springs. Japanese growers trim the clusters and thin berries to get neat, well-filled bunches.