Sterling
Cultivar Information
Flower type = Self-fertile
Berry color = Bronze
Year introduced = 1981
Variety protection = Unpatented
History
'Sterling' was released in 1981 by C. Williams, W. Nesbitt, and V. Underwood of the U.S.D.A. and N.C. State University. 'Sterling' was selected from the cross NC 50-55 x 'Magnolia'.
Comments
'Sterling' was notable in our trials for producing a very attractive light green colored grape with a smooth finish. Unfortunately, it was also notable for its very high fruit rot susceptibility. Berry size is not large enough for the fresh market, and disease susceptibility was too high to recommend it as a juice cultivar.
Average Berry Quality in Tifton, GA Trials
| Cultivar | Berry weight (g) | Berry diameter (mm) | Soluble solids (%) |
| Sterling | 8.4 | 24 | 13.3 |
| Carlos | 5.3 | 20 | 13.8 |
Cultivar Attributes in Tifton, GA Trials
| Cultivar | Vine vigor | Leaf disease | Berry rot | % Full crop | Harvest period | Ripening | % Dry scar |
| Sterling | medium/high | moderate | high | 100% | late | even | 10% |
| Carlos | high | slight | high | 90% | midseason | even | 90% |