The pick of the bunch
Description Following an ideal dried grape harvest, awarding the best fruit of the season was a challenge.
Dried Fruits Australia (DFA) will present its annual Dried Fruit Quality Awards this weekend at Mildura Field Days.
Five category trophies will be handed out this year to recognise the growers who produced the best sultanas, currants, raisins, and new-variety grapes Sunmuscat and Sunglo.
An overall winner will also be announced on the main stage at 2.30pm, Saturday 19 May.
DFA Chairman Mark King said processors Sunbeam Foods and Australian Premium Dried Fruits (APDF) submit samples of their highest quality fruit for blind judging.
“An expert panel assesses the entries on colour, size and taste,” Mr King said.
“The dried grapes coming out of Australia’s major growing areas – Sunraysia, Swan Hill and the Riverland – are always of a high standard.
“But this year the weather was very favourable to growers and we had one of our best drying seasons, resulting in excellent quality fruit.” Category winners:
- Sultanas: Anthony Manno, APDF
- Currants: Peter Middleton, Sunbeam
- Raisins: Jeff and Jenny Gadsden, Sunbeam
- Sunmuscat: Peter Melton, APDF
- Sunglo: Gordon Gardner, APDF
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