A wedding hall operator in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan paid an unbelievable $5,400 for a bunch of "Ruby Romans," a grape that has again lived up to its reputation as the most expensive grape variety in the world.

The unidentified Japanese paid the astonishing amount for a bunch consisting of only 30 ping-pong sized, cherry red-colored grapes at an auction. That comes to $180 per grape.

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Ruby Romans is a Japanese-made grape produced and sold only in Ishikawa and grown to painstakingly tough standards. It was first brought to market in 2008 when a hotel manager paid the then unheard of amount of $910 for a single bunch.

The second auction in 2011 commanded an even higher price: an upscale Japanese pastry shop paid $6,400 for a single bunch. This year's price of $5,400 for a bunch pales in comparison to the record set in 2011.

The reason for the fantastic prices commanded by Ruby Romans: unrivaled quality and an extremely short supply. Only16,000 bunches of Ruby Romans will be sold this year and only in Ishikawa.

Each grape is strictly checked for quality to guarantee its pedigree. A certification seal is placed on each grape that makes the grade as a true Ruby Roman.

Experts who have tasted Ruby Romans said the grapes are delicious; are sweet but fresh at the same time and are very well-balanced

To be considered a true Ruby Roman, a grape must meet a tough set of standards: each grape must weigh 20 grams and contain over 18 percent sugar.

There is also a special "premium class" that requires each grape to weigh over 30 grams. The entire fruit bunch must weigh at least 700 grams.

In 2010, only six grapes qualified for premium status while no grapes received this distinction in 2011.

The grape variety was named Ruby Roman via a public referendum conducted in Japan.

Japanese are willing to pay excessive prices for luxury fruits such as Ruby Romans. Fruits are generally expensive in Japan and Japanese often buy grapes, peaches and melons as luxury gifts.