Japanese grapes smash price record

Champagne may have a reputation for commanding some of the highest grape prices in the world, but the region has been overshadowed after a single bunch of Japanese grapes sold for over £3,000.

The Ruby Roman grapes

According to a report in the Japan Times, bidding soared during an auction of prized Ruby Roman table grapes from Ishikawa Prefecture. In total around 30 bunches, each weighing around 800 grams, were put up for auction to mark the beginning of the buying season for this delicacy.

While the first bunch is understood to have sold for ¥100,000 (£575), the top price of ¥550,000 (£3,160) was paid by a wedding hall operator from the city of Kanazawa. By comparison, Champage grapes today cost around £5 per kilo.

“I would like bridal couples to savour them and have a special memory,” the buyer told Japanese news network NHK.

In total, around 16,000 bunches of Ruby Roman grapes are expected to go on sale this year. The variety was only introduced in 2008 and strict quality regulations govern its sale, requiring each grape to weigh over 20g with a sugar level of 18%.