Overview of Russian Blackcurrant Varieties

The Oldest Varieties — Time-Tested Classics

Among the 230 varieties, some have a history dating back to the mid-20th century. These can be called legendary—they have stood the test of time and remain relevant due to their high winter hardiness, stable yields, and good taste. Here are a few examples:

• Primorsky Champion (1947) — the absolute record holder for "age" among varieties in the register. It was included in the approved list back in 1947. This variety is renowned for its incredible winter hardiness and technical purpose (i.e., it's ideal for processing).
• Pamyat Michurina (1959) — a variety named after the great scientist. It was also approved for use in 1959 and is still grown in the Central, Central Black Earth, and other regions.
• Vystavochnaya (1959) — another "veteran" valued for its high winter hardiness and good yield.
• Sladkoplodnaya (1959) and Dlinnokistnaya (1959) — these varieties were also included in the register in 1959 and have proven themselves well in the Far Eastern region.

The presence of such old varieties speaks to the reliability and value of their genetic material, which breeders still use today to develop newer, more modern hybrids.

In the next chapter, we will discuss in more detail who creates these varieties and introduce the leading scientific centers involved in blackcurrant breeding.

Main Scientific Centers — The Variety Creators

1. FSBIS "Federal Altai Scientific Centre for Agrobiotechnologies" (Altai Krai)

This is perhaps the most active and well-known originator. The center and its predecessors (Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M.A. Lisavenko) have created dozens of varieties that today form the backbone of the assortment in Siberia and the Urals. These varieties are characterized by the highest winter hardiness, often disease resistance, and large fruit size. Typical examples include the varieties Zabava, Sokrovishche, Mila, Sharovidnaya, as well as the famous Yadryonaya, which was long considered the benchmark for large-fruitedness.

2. FSUE "Novosibirsk Zonal Station of Horticulture" (Novosibirsk Oblast)

Another Siberian "giant" of breeding. The station has created varieties that are zoned not only in Western and Eastern Siberia but also in other regions. Their main strengths are reliable winter hardiness and disease resistance. Among its "stars" are Avgusta, Berdchanka, Aleandr, Glarioza, and the late variety Iskitimsky Dar.

3. FSBIS "All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding" (Oryol Oblast)

A key center for the Central and Central Black Earth regions. The institute's scientists focused on large, dessert berries with high taste qualities and resistance to fungal diseases. This is where popular varieties such as Azurnaya, Lentyay, Perun, Orlovskaya Serenada, Ekzotika, as well as the newcomer Chernookaya, were created.

4. FSBIS "Federal Scientific Center named after I.V. Michurin" (Tambov Oblast)

The legendary Michurin center, which has made a huge contribution to breeding. Varieties that are benchmarks for taste and yield were developed here: Zelyonaya Dymka (with a muscat aroma), Sozvezdie, Bagira, as well as newer ones — Aksinya, A mirani. These varieties are more often oriented towards the black earth zone and southern regions.

5. FSBIS "Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences" (Sverdlovsk Oblast, Yekaterinburg)

The "forge" of varieties for the Urals and neighboring regions. Ural varieties are created here, combining winter hardiness with drought resistance and excellent taste. The most famous varieties are Venera, Pygmy, Slavyanka, Rusalka, and the new Kialim. These varieties are often characterized as "technical" or universal, with good transportability.

6. FSBIS Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Republic of Bashkortostan)

Another powerful center in the Urals that gave us the varieties Bobrovaya, Kushnarenkovskaya, Bel'skaya, Iremel, and Truzhenitsa. Their varieties are renowned for high winter hardiness, self-fertility, and large berries.

7. FSBIS "Federal Research Center All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after N.I. Vavilov (VIR)" (St. Petersburg)

This is a unique institute that engages not only in breeding but also in preserving the world's plant gene pool. VIR varieties are often created using genetic material from various countries worldwide. Among its "children" are Veloy, Binary, Volodinka, and Poetry, which are well adapted to the conditions of the Northwest.

8. FSC "VIK named after V.R. Williams" (Moscow Oblast)

A major center that has created many popular modern varieties, including for the Central region: Dobrynya, Gulliver, Selechenskaya, Solovinaya Noch, Podarok Astakhova. These varieties often become hits among gardeners due to their large berries, excellent taste, and disease resistance.

How Breeders Work: "Meristema" and "Twin" Varieties

When studying the register, you may notice that the same variety is often assigned to several originators. This is because after a variety is created, the rights to its propagation and distribution can be transferred to commercial organizations.

The most striking example is LLC "Meristema" from Nizhny Novgorod. This company often acts as a co-author of varieties developed in other scientific centers and handles their commercial propagation and introduction into circulation. For instance, "Meristema" appears in the register alongside varieties like Agrolesovskaya, Belorusskaya Sladkaya, Zagadka, and many others.

It is also not uncommon for a variety to have "clones" or different names. For example, Binary has a synonym Pamyat Pavlovoy. This should be considered to avoid confusion when purchasing seedlings.

Foreign Originators

Although domestic varieties dominate the Russian register, there are also "foreigners" that have successfully passed trials in our country. Their presence speaks to the value of foreign genetic resources.

The most famous foreign variety in the register is Ojebyn, of Swedish breeding. It was included in the register in 1988 and is still grown in the Northern, Northwestern, Central, and other regions. It is valued for its stable yield, resistance to powdery mildew, and excellent transportability.

Interestingly, Russian breeders actively use foreign varieties as "parents" for developing new domestic hybrids. For example, the pedigree of many Ural and Siberian varieties includes Bredtorp, Golubka, or Primorsky Champion.

Thus, the modern Russian assortment of blackcurrants is the result of the work of dozens of scientists and the synthesis of the best global and domestic developments. When you choose a variety, you choose not just a berry, but the result of the labor of an entire scientific school, which is worth looking at more closely.

In the next chapter, we'll break down the characteristics listed in the State Register and what they mean for the average gardener.

Ripening Time (Maturity Group)

This is one of the most important characteristics. It indicates approximately when you can expect the first harvest. Maturity groups are divided into:

• Very early — the very first berries to open the season. Examples: Golubichka, Dar Smolyaninovoy, Shalunya.
• Early (early-ripening) — ripen at the beginning of summer. These include Selechenskaya, Ekzotika, Pamyat Michurina, Bariton, Lika.
• Medium (mid-season) — the main mass of varieties. Ripen in mid-summer. These include Agata, Dobrynya, Zelyonaya Dymka, Pygmy and many others.
• Medium-late — berries ripen slightly later than mid-season. Examples: Izmailovskaya, Plotnokistnaya, Sudarushka, Tatyanin Den.
• Late (late-ripening) — the most "summer" varieties, they stay on the bush longer and allow extending the harvest season. These include Avgusta, Lentyay, Yadryonaya, Bagira, Hercules.

Gardener's tip: To have fresh berries all summer, plant varieties with different ripening times—from very early to late. This also provides insurance against crop failure in case of unfavorable weather during a specific period.

Yield

In the register, yield is indicated in centners per hectare (c/ha). This is an unusual unit for the hobbyist. But if converted to more understandable terms: on average, 1 c/ha roughly equals 1 kg of berries from a small garden bush (under standard planting spacing). In practice, for the gardener, absolute numbers are less important than whether the variety is characterized as high-yielding (e.g., Vera – 110.7 c/ha, Globus – 71 c/ha) or consistently fruitful.

Note: Yield strongly depends on care, bush age, and weather, so register data is a guideline, not a guarantee.

Berry Weight

This is perhaps the most "favorite" parameter among gardeners. The register indicates the average weight in grams. Varieties weighing up to 1 g are considered small-fruited (often technical varieties). From 1 to 1.5 g – medium. From 1.5 to 2.5 g – large-fruited. Anything above 2.5 g – very large berries, true "giants".

Examples of size record holders:

• Yadryonaya – up to 3.2 g.
• Vera – up to 3.0 g (maximum up to 4.2 g).
• Dobrynya – up to 2.6 g.
• Podarok Astakhova – up to 3.5 g.
• Charodey – up to 2.5 g.

Tip: Large berries are easier to pick and look more attractive. However, small berries are often more aromatic and contain more vitamin C per unit mass. The choice is yours.

Taste and Content of Sugar, Acid, Vitamin C

These are chemical indicators that directly affect the taste. The register provides:

• Sugars (%) – the higher the percentage, the sweeter the berry. For example, Bel'skaya has 10.0%, Glarioza has 13.6%, while Bryansky Agat has only 5.2%.
• Acids (%) – responsible for tartness. High acid content (over 3%) gives a refreshing taste, but may seem too sour for some.
• Vitamin C (mg%) – the main indicator of health benefits. This vitamin is not synthesized by the body, and blackcurrant is one of its best sources. Record holders for ascorbic acid content: Akademicheskaya (248 mg%), Pilot (320 mg%), Myuryuchana (245 mg%), Lyubimitsa Bakchara (286 mg%). For comparison, many varieties have about 150–200 mg%.

However, the most understandable parameter for a gardener is the tasting score. It is assigned by professional tasters on a 5-point scale. A score of 4.5–5.0 indicates an excellent, dessert flavor. Examples: Venera, Akademicheskaya, Iskushenie (5.0 points), Dobrynya, Zabava, Selechenskaya 2 (also 5.0). Many varieties with low sugar content get 3.5–4.0 points—they are suitable for processing but are not as good fresh.

Winter Hardiness and Drought Tolerance

For Russian conditions, these are critical characteristics. The register often indicates: "winter-hardy", "highly winter-hardy", "moderately winter-hardy", as well as resistance to spring frosts (since flowers can be damaged). For example, Yakutskaya withstands frosts down to –60°C, but its flowers may die during return frosts.

Drought tolerance and heat resistance are also noted – important for southern regions or areas with insufficient watering.

Resistance to Diseases and Pests

The register always mentions how susceptible the variety is to powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria, and damage by gall mites. This allows you to choose a variety that will require fewer chemical treatments. Look for phrases like: "resistant", "relatively resistant", "weakly affected" – these are good signs for organic gardening.

Variety Purpose

In the register, varieties are divided into purpose categories:

• Universal – berries are good fresh and for any type of processing.
• Dessert (table) – especially tasty, with high tasting scores, intended for fresh consumption.
• Technical – grown primarily for processing (juices, jam, freezing, wine). Their berries may be smaller and more sour, but they often provide a more stable yield and keep better.

Other Important Nuances

• Self-fertility – the variety's ability to set fruit without pollinators. Many modern varieties are self-fertile (e.g., Bagira, Belorusskaya Sladkaya), which is ideal for a single bush on the plot.
• Berry detachment – "dry" or "wet". Dry detachment is preferable as berries are less damaged and keep longer.
• Transportability – the ability of berries to withstand transportation without loss of marketable quality.

Now that you are familiar with the "language" of the register, you will be able to easily navigate any variety description. In the next chapter, we will move on to the most interesting part – an overview of the most popular varieties that have earned the recognition of gardeners across the country.

Selechenskaya and Selechenskaya-2

These are perhaps the most "promoted" varieties in Russia. Even those just starting gardening know them.

• Selechenskaya — an early variety created at the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupin. Very large berries (up to 3.3 g), excellent dessert flavor (score 4.7 points). Winter-hardy, resistant to powdery mildew, but may be affected by anthracnose. Universal purpose. Zoned for the Central, Central Black Earth, West Siberian, and East Siberian regions.
• Selechenskaya-2 — an improved version. Even larger berries (up to 2.9 g), tasting score – 5 points! Early, high-yielding, resistant to major diseases. Characterized by uniform ripening and dry berry detachment. Recommended for the Central, Northwestern, West Siberian, and East Siberian regions.

Why are they so popular? Large, sweet berries that can be eaten straight from the bush, early ripening, and high yield—that's the recipe for success.

Dobrynya

Another "hit" from the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupin. Mid-season. Berries are very large – up to 2.6 g, tasting score 4.9 points. Vitamin C content is high – 220 mg%. Universal.

Characterized by high winter hardiness and resistance to powdery mildew. However, there is a nuance: the variety is demanding on soil fertility and agricultural practices. On poor soils, berries become smaller. Recommended for the Central and West Siberian regions.

Why is it popular? Very sweet, large berries with a muscat undertone. The variety is often called "confectionery" for its dessert flavor.

Pygmy

A variety of Ural breeding. Mid-season. Berries are large – up to 2 g, tasting score – 5 points! Very sweet, with a delicate aroma. Resistant to powdery mildew, weakly affected by anthracnose. High yield – up to 108 c/ha.

Recommended for the Volga-Vyatka, Ural, West Siberian, East Siberian, and Far Eastern regions.

Why is it popular? Dessert flavor, large berries, and wide growing geography make it a favorite of gardeners across the country.

Tamerlane

A variety from Michurin breeding. Mid-season. Berries are large – up to 1.5 g, sweet-sour, with a refreshing taste. Very high yield – up to 129 c/ha. Winter-hardy, resistant to diseases and pests. Recommended for the Central Black Earth and Lower Volga regions.

Why is it popular? Stable, very high yield and unpretentiousness.

Bagira

A legendary variety from Michurin breeding. Medium-late. Berries are large – up to 2.3 g, dessert flavor, with high vitamin C content (up to 145 mg%). Characterized by high self-fertility (up to 67%) and stable yield (up to 4.5 kg per bush). Resistant to powdery mildew, but may be affected by rust.

Recommended for many regions: Northwestern, Volga-Vyatka, Middle Volga, Ural, West Siberian, and East Siberian.

Why is it popular? It's a true "workhorse" – a variety that won't let you down. Excellent taste, large berries, high self-fertility, wide adaptability.

Yadryonaya and Yadryonaya-2

• Yadryonaya — a Siberian variety that was long considered the benchmark for large-fruitedness. Average berry weight – up to 3.2 g! Medium-late, universal. Refreshing, sweet-sour taste. Yield up to 87.6 c/ha. Winter-hardy, resistant to powdery mildew. Recommended for the Volga-Vyatka and West Siberian regions.
• Yadryonaya-2 — a more modern variety. Average berry weight – up to 2.7 g, but yield is higher – up to 110.4 c/ha. Sweet-sour taste, without aroma. Winter-hardy, drought-resistant. Recommended for the West Siberian and East Siberian regions.

Why are they popular? The main reason is very large berries. Gardeners love picking "giant" currants.

Lentyay

A variety from Oryol breeding. Late ripening. Berries are very large – up to 3.1 g, sweet taste, tasting score up to 5.0 points. High yield – up to 110 c/ha. Winter-hardy, resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose, weakly affected by gall mites.

Recommended for the Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Middle Volga, and Ural regions.

Why is it popular? It's one of the few truly sweet late varieties. Allows you to enjoy fresh berries at the end of summer, when other varieties have already finished.

Gulliver

A variety from VIC named after Williams. Early ripening. Berries are large – up to 1.7 g, sweet-sour, with a tasting score of 4.4 points. Yield up to 86.3 c/ha. Winter-hardy, resistant to diseases. Recommended for the Northwestern, Central, and Volga-Vyatka regions.

Why is it popular? Very early ripening and stable yield.

Cherny Zhemchug

A variety from Michurin breeding. Mid-season. Berries are large, round, with a characteristic shine. Sweet-sour, refreshing taste. High yield. Recommended for the Central Black Earth, North Caucasian, Middle Volga, Ural, West Siberian, and East Siberian regions.

Why is it popular? Wide adaptability and beautiful, shiny berries.

Ekzotika

A variety from Oryol breeding. Early ripening. Berries are large – up to 1.8 g, sweet-sour, with aroma, tasting score 4.8 points. Winter-hardy, weakly affected by diseases. Recommended for the Central region.

Why is it popular? Early, large-fruited, with excellent taste.

Vologda

A variety from Moscow breeding. Medium-late. Berries are large – up to 1.9 g, sweet-sour, with a tasting score of 4.5 points. High yield – up to 90 c/ha. Winter-hardy, universal. Recommended for the Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Middle Volga, and Far Eastern regions.

Why is it popular? Reliable, productive, tolerates frosts well.

Leningradskaya (Veloy)

In the register, this variety appears under the name Veloy. Mid-season. Berries are very large – up to 3.5 g, dessert flavor. Winter-hardy, resistant to powdery mildew, anthracnose, rust. Self-fertile and productive (up to 4.2 kg per bush). Recommended for the Northern, Northwestern, and Central regions.

Why is it popular? Huge, very tasty berries and disease resistance.

Izyumnaya

A variety from VIC named after Williams. Early ripening. Berries are large – up to 1.9 g, sweet taste, with a refreshing aroma. Winter-hardy, drought-resistant. Recommended for the Northwestern and Central regions.

Why is it popular? Sweet berries, early ripening.

Dachnitsa

A variety from Oryol breeding. Mid-season. Berries are large – up to 2.3 g, sweet-sour, with a delicate aroma, tasting score 4.5 points. Moderately winter-hardy, moderately resistant to powdery mildew. Recommended for the Northwestern and Volga-Vyatka regions.

Why is it popular? Large berries and pleasant taste.

Sokrovishche

A Siberian variety. Mid-season. Berries are large – up to 2.2 g, sweet-sour, with a refreshing aroma, tasting score 4.5 points. Very high yield – up to 114 c/ha. Winter-hardy, self-fertile. Recommended for the West Siberian and East Siberian regions.

Why is it popular? Stable high yield and good taste.

Varieties Not Included in the State Register

These two varieties have not passed state trials, but they are nevertheless actively searched for by gardeners online. This suggests either good marketing or real advantages that gardeners notice in practice.

Cherny Bumer — a large-fruited, late variety of unknown origin. In online stores, it is positioned as super-large-fruited, sweet, and productive. However, the absence in the register means its characteristics have not been confirmed by state trials. Gardeners should be cautious when purchasing seedlings of this variety.

Titania — a Swedish-bred variety popular in Europe. It is characterized by large berries, high yield, and disease resistance. Not zoned in Russia, but some gardeners successfully grow it. As with Cherny Bumer, there are no official recommendations for its cultivation.

Brief Summary of Popular Varieties

5.1. Varieties by Ripening Time — How to Extend the Fresh Berry Season

One of the main secrets of a successful currant garden is choosing varieties correctly according to ripening time. If you plant only early varieties, you will get an abundant but short harvest. If only late ones, you'll wait all summer and only manage to harvest in August. The ideal option is a "conveyor" of 3–4 varieties of different ripening times.

Here is what this conveyor looks like according to the State Register data.

5.2. Largest Berries — The Race for Records

Berry size is one of the main selection criteria for many gardeners. Large berries are easier to pick, look more impressive, and often have more tender flesh. However, remember: a large berry is not always a sweet one. Sometimes the most aromatic and vitamin-rich varieties have medium or even small fruits.

Let's look at which varieties boast the largest berries.

5.3. Sweetest and Dessert Varieties — For True Gourmets

If you want to eat currants straight from the bush, enjoying their sweetness and aroma, you need dessert varieties. Their main indicator is the tasting score assigned by professionals on a 5-point scale. A score of 4.8–5.0 is the elite. Berries of such varieties are usually sweet, with a delicate aroma, tender flesh, and a balanced sugar-acid content.

But note: "dessert" in the register does not always mean "super-sweet." A variety is called dessert if it is most pleasant fresh. Sometimes it can be a berry with a light, refreshing tartness that perfectly complements the sweetness.

Let's see which varieties have earned the highest scores and are considered the best-tasting.

5.4. Most "Vitamin-Rich" — Record Holders for Vitamin C Content

Blackcurrant is, first and foremost, a treasure trove of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). In 100 g of berries of some varieties, it contains several times more than in a lemon or orange. For many gardeners, this is the main reason to grow currants—winter preserves, boosting immunity, and simply health benefits.

The State Register often indicates vitamin C content in milligrams per 100 g of berries. The higher this indicator, the healthier the berry. The average for modern varieties is 150–200 mg%. But there are true record holders that exceed 250 mg%, and sometimes even 300 mg%.

5.5. Most Resistant to Diseases and Pests — For "Lazy" Gardening

Blackcurrant, like any crop, is susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. The most common problems are American powdery mildew (sphaerotheca), anthracnose, septoria, and gall mites. If you don't want to spend time on constant spraying, choose varieties with complex resistance. In the State Register, such varieties are described with phrases like: "resistant to powdery mildew", "weakly affected by anthracnose", "not damaged by gall mites".

Below are varieties that have proven themselves to be the most reliable in this regard.

5.6. Most Winter-Hardy — For Harsh Regions

Russia is a country with cold winters, especially in the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East. For these regions, winter hardiness is the main criterion. Varieties bred in Siberia and the Urals, as a rule, have high winter hardiness, but there are exceptions.

Winter hardiness includes several components:

• Frost resistance — ability to withstand low winter temperatures.
• Resistance to return spring frosts (important so that flowers are not killed).
• Resistance to damping off and sunscald.

The register often simply indicates "winter-hardy" or "highly winter-hardy." For the harshest regions, this is critical.

5.7. Universal and Technical Varieties — For Processing and Stable Yields

Not all gardeners chase dessert taste and giant berries. Many grow currants for processing—jams, juices, compotes, wines, as well as for freezing. For these purposes, technical and universal varieties are better suited. They often have a more intense aroma, high pectin and vitamin content, as well as stable yields.

In the State Register, varieties are divided by purpose:

• Universal — good for fresh consumption and all types of processing.
• Technical — intended for processing; their berries may be smaller and more sour, but they produce more juice and aroma.

6.1. New Additions to the State Register (2022–2024)

In recent years, several dozen new varieties have been included in the register. We have selected the most interesting ones—those that have already proven themselves or have outstanding characteristics.

What to Know About New Varieties

1. New varieties often surpass old ones in a set of traits. For example, Akademicheskaya combines a giant berry (3.4 g), excellent taste (5.0), and high vitamin C (248 mg%). This is rare even among the newest varieties.

2. Pay attention to varieties with high scores and large berries — Akademicheskaya, Podarok Veteranam, Universitetskaya 123, Yukhnovskaya 70. They can compete with the famous Selechenskaya and Dobrynya.

3. New additions for the Urals (Zyuratkul, Kialim, Truzhenitsa, Bel'skaya, Iremel) are varieties specifically created for harsh conditions. If you live in the Urals, be sure to check them out.

4. New additions for the Center (Kaskad, Kudesnik, Podarok Veteranam, Etyud, Liza, Universitetskaya 123) have high scores, large berries, and good disease resistance. They are worthy successors to the old proven varieties.

5. New additions for Siberia (Akademicheskaya, Pamyati Kukharskogo, Sobolinka) were created in Siberian scientific centers and possess high winter hardiness.

6.2. Varieties Undeservedly Left in the Shadows

In the shadow of popular varieties, true gems often remain. They are in the register but are not widely known. The reasons can vary: not a flashy name, limited zoned regions, lack of advertising. Meanwhile, these varieties possess unique characteristics that may be ideal for your conditions.

We have selected varieties that, in our opinion, deserve more attention.

Comparative Table of Underrated Varieties

Practical Takeaways

1. Don't chase only popularity. Many varieties not in the top 10 may be ideal for your region and goals.

2. Pay attention to "hidden champions":

• If you need a very sweet berry — look at Degtyarevskaya, Karachinskaya, Glarioza.
• If you need maximum vitamin C — Lyubimitsa Bakchara, Svetlolistnaya.
• If you need perfect taste — Voroninskaya, Bobrovaya, Svetlolistnaya.
• If you need resistance to diseases and pests — Agrolesovskaya, Gorkhon.

3. New additions of 2022–2024 are varieties of a new generation. They often surpass older ones in a set of traits. Be sure to study their characteristics if you plan to establish a new garden.

4. Varieties zoned in your region are always more reliable, even if they are not in federal tops. They have passed trials in your climatic conditions.

In the next, final chapter, we will give brief practical recommendations to help you choose a variety based on your goals and conditions.

7.1. Which Variety to Choose Based on Your Main Goal

7.2. Which Variety to Choose Based on Your Region

In the State Register, each variety has an indication of the zoned regions. If a variety is zoned in your region, it has passed state trials in your specific climatic conditions. This is the most reliable guideline.

7.3. Which Variety to Choose If You Have...

7.4. Final Checklist for Choosing a Variety

Final Advice

Do not limit yourself to one variety. Plant 3–4 varieties with different ripening times and different purposes. This will allow you to:

• Have fresh berries all summer.
• Get a harvest even in an unfavorable year (different varieties respond differently to weather).
• Use some varieties for eating, others for processing.
• Reduce the risk of disease and pest damage.

And remember: the best variety is the one that grows and produces well in your particular garden. Experiment, observe, and you will surely find your favorite blackcurrant varieties.