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Many novice gardeners who decide to establish their own vineyard are often intimidated by the so-called technical grape varieties. Some even think, due to their inexperience, that these grapes are generally unsuitable for food, and they can only be used for wine after appropriate processing. Of course, such ideas about technical grape varieties are fundamentally wrong, especially since most of them have fairly high taste characteristics. By the way, have you ever noticed how much pleasure little children prefer technical grapes to table grapes. Everything is explained quite simply – most technical varieties have a high sugar content, which is necessary for the preparation of high-quality wines. In addition, it is the technical varieties of grapes that contain more healthy elements, amino acids and vitamins. And children feel this very well intuitively.
The Crystal grape is considered a typical technical or wine variety. Which does not at all prevent using it for making juices, compotes, jellies and marshmallows. If you are going to plant a vineyard in one of the regions north of the Voronezh region, then in this case the Crystal grape variety, due to its greater unpretentiousness, will be an excellent choice for you not only for making wine and other drinks, but also for drinking it fresh. In this case, the photo and description of the Crystal grape variety, as well as the reviews of those who grew it on their site, will allow you to finally make your choice.
Variety description
Hungarian breeders did a good job at one time, crossing Amur grapes with Challoczi Lajos, and only then the resulting hybrid was crossed again with the universal Hungarian variety Villar Blanc. Thanks to the Amur grapes, the Crystal has developed good frost resistance and unpretentiousness to many adverse conditions and diseases. And from Villars blanc, he took good taste properties and resistance to mildew and gray rot.
In 2002, the Crystal grape variety was included in the state register of Our Country and recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions. The originator was the All- Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking. Potapenko, located in Novocherkassk, Rostov Region.
It must be borne in mind that in the vastness of Ukraine, a hybrid form of Black Crystal grapes has appeared relatively recently, which has nothing to do with ordinary Crystal. It was bred by V. M. Kalugin, an amateur viticulturist, according to him, by crossing Talisman and a Bulgarian variety with very large Velika berries. The hybrid form may be interesting, but at the moment there is almost no reliable information about it, so any information about this variety is subject to additional verification.
Crystal grapes belong to very early varieties in terms of ripening, the berries acquire a marketable appearance, as a rule, 110-115 days after the start of awakening of the kidneys. In the conditions of the middle zone, this occurs approximately in the middle or second half of August. But usually, if you plan to use the Crystal for making wine, it is allowed to hang for some more time for sufficient accumulation of sugar in the berries and their final ripening. For food, berries can be used much earlier if you are satisfied with their taste.
True, at the same time, the acidity of the berries decreases, up to 4 g / l, which is good for fresh consumption, but may not have a very good effect on the quality of the wine.
Bushes usually have medium vigor. A curious feature of the Crystal variety is the possibility of the appearance on the same bushes of leaves with varying degrees of dissection. The variety is able to demonstrate good yield indicators, since 85-90% of the total number of fruitful shoots are observed. On average, the yield of Crystal grape bushes per hectare is about 160 centners, in favorable conditions it can reach 200 centners / ha.
The maturity of the shoots is excellent, it reaches 100%. The color of young shoots is reddish. On average, there are about 1,3 bunches per shoot.
The bushes are prone to thickening, therefore it is necessary to regularly remove stepchildren, it is especially important to carry out this procedure before flowering so that the green mass does not take away nutrition from the flower stalks.
Rooting of cuttings of this grape variety is excellent. They take root without any problems simply in the ground, even without the use of special root formation stimulants. Also, cuttings grow well with almost any stock.
The flowers of the Crystal are bisexual, so it does not require additional pollinators, while it itself can serve as an excellent pollinator for varieties with a female type of flowers.
The winter hardiness of the bushes is increased, up to -29 ° C, although according to gardeners, when growing Crystal in the middle lane, he still needs shelter.
Very attractive in the characteristics of this variety is the presence of genetic immunity to gray rot, which is very important in case of possible wet and rainy weather during the ripening of berries.
Also, Crystal grapes are characterized by increased resistance to major fungal diseases: to oidium – 2,5 points, to mildew – 2 points (on a five-point scale, in which 0 is complete resistance).
Characteristics of grapes and berries
The Crystal grape variety is distinguished by the following characteristics of clusters and berries:
- The clusters are predominantly conical or cylindrical-conical in shape and of medium density.
- The size of the bunches is average, the weight of one bunch can vary from 180 to 200 grams.
- Berries and clusters are well attached to the stalk, so they do not crumble and can hang on the bush for a long time.
- Crystal grapes cannot be called large, the weight of one grape is 1,8-2,5 grams.
- The berries are round or slightly oval in shape, the color may vary from yellow to white-green, in bright sunlight a slight pinkish color may appear.
- The berries of this variety are characterized by a well-defined prune or waxy coating that covers the skin and provides additional protection against the penetration of harmful microorganisms.
- The skin itself is very strong, which is typical for most technical grape varieties.
- But the pulp is very juicy, tender, good harmonious taste without additional impurities.
- Grapes gain sugar content up to 18-19 Brix, and acidity in the first period of ripening is 6-7 g/l. As mentioned above, with a long stay on the bushes, the acidity begins to decrease and reaches 4-5 g / l. When grown in the southern regions or in wall culture on the south side, Crystal is able to gain sugar up to 23 Brix.
- The main use of Crystal grapes is the production of dry table wines, such as Sherry. Tasters evaluate the taste of table wine obtained from Crystal grapes at 8,5 points, and sparkling – at 9,1 points.
- Also, very tasty juice can be prepared from this grape variety, while the juice content in the berries is 70%.
- Of course, there are seeds in the berries, but they are not very felt during meals, the skin is more felt.
- Cracking of berries and peas in grapes is not observed, but the lower brushes, with prolonged preservation on the bushes, may begin to wither.
Peculiarities of growing
Crystal grapes begin to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting. Novice gardeners should take into account that the first two years after planting, bushes should not be tested for frost resistance – it is advisable to cover them. With age, the vines can simply be lowered to the ground, allowing them to be covered with snow. And in the southern regions, you can even try to leave shoots on trellises for wintering.
Pruning is best done quite short – for 2-3 eyes. The optimal number of buds left for an adult bush is about 60.
The variety is quite moisture-loving, with a lack of water it may not behave in the best way.
Grapes of this variety respond well to micronutrient fertilization, especially before flowering, since, for example, a lack of boron and zinc can adversely affect the formation of ovaries.
Thickening of the bush also cannot be allowed, because the ovaries can fall off from this and, as a result, the yield will decrease, the appearance of the clusters will worsen.
Reviews of gardeners
Crystal grapes are very popular, both among professional winegrowers who grow it exclusively for making wine, and among amateur gardeners.
Conclusion
Berries of the Crystal do not shine with a presentation and, despite a fairly good preservation, are unlikely to be too attractive to buyers. But in terms of taste, it may well compete with many table varieties, plus it is highly resistant and unpretentious in care. Therefore, as a home grape for personal needs, he will be one of the worthy candidates.
