One of the most significant challenges in grape cultivation in Iran is the low diversity of commercial varieties in terms of harvest timing (mid-season or very late) for fresh consumption. On the other hand, fluctuations and the presence of tough competitors in the export market pose a serious challenge for grape growers. Therefore, the introduction of new mid-season grape varieties, as well as very late varieties, can significantly help stabilize the price fluctuations of this strategic product. The newly introduced grape variety named “Omid” is classified as a mid-season variety (ripening in the first half of August) suitable for fresh consumption. This variety has a moderate tolerance to drought stress and exhibits resistance to spring frost damage concerning reproductive buds, vegetative buds, and initial leaves, sustaining a maximum damage of 35-40% at a temperature of -4˚C for 4 hours. Additionally, this variety has a higher market acceptance compared to the control. It features oval-shaped berries of light purple color, is low in seeds, and has a yellowish pulp. The arrangement of the berries in the cluster is non-dense (open) and without shot berries.
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