Isired and Giored are two new CREA varieties released in 2023. Obtained by G. Baruzzi, W. Faedi, D. Giovannini and S. Sirri, they have been selected at the Magliano (FC) experimental farm of the Forlì site of the Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Growing as CREA C1 (Isired) and CREA C2 (Giored) as part of a genetic improvement programme aimed at the lowland environments of the Romagna area.
Starting in 2014, trials were extended to other areas, including Vignola (MO), where the trees were trained in vase form on CAB 6P rootstock (P.cerasus), showing good and consistent productivity over the years.
In 2023, CREA filed a Community Plant Variety application for the two new accessions (n. 2023/1215 and 2023/1216) and subsequently initiated a public tender. As a result, the CIV Italian Nurseries Consortium acquired exclusive rights for testing, propagation, and global commercialization in partnership with INN (INTERNATIONAL NEW VARIETIES NETWORK).
Below are the main details about the two varieties:
Tree of medium-high vigor, spreading growth habit, with high and consistent productivity. The flowering period is early, either simultaneous with or slightly ahead of Burlat by one day. Isired starts fruiting moderately early, from the 4th year, and produces mainly on spurs but also on mixed shoots.
In the Vignola area, it ripens in the first ten days of June (+15 days compared to Burlat). Ripening on the tree is uniform—enabling a single harvest—and the ripe fruits maintain good quality on the tree for 4-5 days. The fruit is attractive, with a bright dark red color at maturity (CTIFL Scale 5), a cordiform-depressed shape, large size (80% of fruits are ≥30 mm), and thin skin.
The pulp is moderately firm (with an average hardness of 60 on the Durofel scale for fully ripe fruits) and juicy, with a well-balanced flavor (17.5°Brix and 196 meq/liter, average values from five years of evaluation in Vignola). Under rain-covered conditions, the variety has shown medium to medium-low susceptibility to cracking. Potential pollinators include Burlat, Vera, and Grace Star.
Tree of medium vigor with a spreading growth habit, offering medium and consistent productivity. The flowering period is early, either simultaneous with or ahead of Burlat by a couple of days. Giored begins fruiting moderately early (from the 4th year) and produces mainly on spurs but also on mixed shoots. In the Vignola area, it ripens in the second ten days of June (+19 days compared to Burlat).
Ripening on the tree is uniform, allowing for a single harvest; the ripe fruits maintain good quality on the tree for 4-5 days. The fruit is attractive, with a bright dark red color at harvest (CTIFL Scale 5), a cordiform-depressed shape, large size (80% of fruits are ≥30 mm), and thin skin.
The pulp is moderately firm (with an average hardness of 52.0 on the Durofel scale for fully ripe fruits) and juicy, with an excellent flavor and sweet taste (20°Brix and 155 meq/liter, average values from five years of evaluation in Vignola). The stem is long, making harvesting easy. Under rainy conditions, the variety has shown medium-low to low susceptibility to cracking. Potential pollinators include Burlat, Vera, and Grace Star.
Images: CREA Forlì branch
Daniela Giovannini and Gianluca Baruzzi
CREA Forlì branch
09 Jun 2026
Tart cherry juice clarification with PES membranes and pectinase-based enzymatic pretreatment improves clarity and stability, limits fouling and protects polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidants, offering useful guidance for more sustainable and efficient processing methods.
29 Jan 2025
A study utilized the CTIFL color scale to classify cherries into three maturity levels analyzing the fruit both before and after a 28-day storage period. Cherries with optimal dry matter levels exhibit lower respiration rates, which helps maintain flavor during storage.
11 Aug 2026
Thermosonication improves postharvest storage of sweet cherries by reducing decay, weight loss and oxidation. The treatment preserves firmness, vitamin C and flavonoids, while strengthening antioxidant defenses and maintaining fruit quality for 12 days at 4 °C.
11 Aug 2026
The Jerte Cherry PDO closes a very positive season, with 5 million kg of cherries and 2.5 million kg of certified picota. High quality, new varieties and strong European sales reinforce the value and identity of the local cherry supply chain, protected by the Jerte PDO.
