The white grape variety originates from the Middle East, possibly from Lebanon. The approximately 220 synonyms indicate its wide distribution and great age. The two most common are Dattier de Beyrouth and Regina, others are Actoni, Afuz Ali, Agrazaki, Alepo, Alfonse Ali, Altin Tas, Anatoliko, Anatolitiko, Axiangelas, Bali Dranak, Bolgar Szölö, Datilera, Datilera de Beirut, Datteltraube, Dimiski, Inzolia Imperiale, Galetta, Izmir Razaki, Karaburnu, Marsigliana Bianca, Pergolone, Raisin d'Or, Razaki, Real, Razaki, Razaki Archanon, Razaki Aspro, Real, Reine, Roseti, Rozaki, Rozaki Sari, Shasla Zamushca, Shasla Zamushka, Sultanai Razaki, Sultani Razaki, Teramo, Teta de Vaca, Uva di Constantinopla, Uva Regina, Uva Turca and Waltham Cross.
The variety was already mentioned in the 15th century. It is said to have been brought to France in 1883 by a silk merchant from Beirut in Lebanon. It was first known as Dattier de Beyrouth because of its large date-shaped berries. The vine was a favourite crossing partner for many new varieties such as Augusta (1), Danuta, Emilia, Franca, Gratsiya, Queen of the Vineyards, Kunleány, Select (2), Ozana, Solferino (1), Victoria (1) and Yulski Biser. The picture on the right is from "Ampélographie - Traité général de viticulture" by Victor Vermorel and Pierre Viala.
This late-ripening vine has large, golden-yellow, crunchy and somewhat hard-skinned berries with a subtle muscat flavour. It is mainly used as table grape and is one of the world's top 3. It is grown in larger quantities in Italy (50,000 ha), Turkey (30,000 ha), Spain (10,000 ha) and Greece (10,000 ha), as well as in Australia (7,000 ha) under various of the above-mentioned names. The global stock is estimated at a total of 150,000 hectares of vineyards. In 2016, stocks were reported in Australia (0.1 ha), France (50 ha), Italy (41 ha), Moldova (48 ha) and Serbia (73 ha) - i.e. a total of 211 hectares of vineyards; presumably only used as a wine grape (Kym Anderson).
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)
