Contents
Muscat white grapes are one of the oldest varieties used for making fine wines. High-yielding, although the indicator is unstable, it may differ in different years. The berries are of good taste. There are several features in care that you should pay attention to (shelter for the winter, removal of infertile shoots, and others).
History of breeding
White Muscat is a grape variety bred in the USSR more than 80 years ago. In the register of breeding achievements, the culture was registered in 1945. The originator is L.P. Troshin. (Krasnodar). This is one of the oldest varieties.
There is a version that it was originally bred in Syria, Egypt and the countries of the Arab Peninsula. The variety has spread throughout the world. It is cultivated not only in Our Country, but also in Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and the USA.
Culture is also called (synonyms):
- Busuyok;
- Muscat blanc, small berry;
- Feger muscotia;
- Moscatello bianco;
- Frankincense.
Description of Muscat white grapes
Muscat white is a shrub of medium vigor. Crowns of young shoots have a greenish-gray tint, noticeably strong pubescence. Young leaves are wine red. The bushes are medium-sized, rounded, can be three- and five-blade. The leaves of the grapes are funnel-shaped, saturated green. The inner side is covered with cobweb-bristle pubescence.
The upper side cutouts are of small depth, an ovoid lumen is noticeable. The cutouts on the underside are noticeably smaller, they are lyre-shaped, sometimes V-shaped. The petiole notches are in most cases closed, a slit-like lumen is noticeable. On one plant of the Muscat white variety, flowers of both sexes grow, due to which self-pollination is possible, especially if the weather conditions are good.
bunches
Clusters of the Muscat white variety are medium in size, of a classic cylindrical-conical shape, often cylindrical. By weight, they reach 100-450 g. They have short combs. The color is green, with a hint of pink. Woody only at the base.
Small bunches of grapes
Berries
The berries are round in shape, often of unequal sizes, the average diameter is from 10 to 17 mm, weight is from 1,4 to 1,8 g. The color is golden yellow, a bronze tan is noticeable on the sunny side. Each berry contains two seeds. If desired, they can be used for further breeding, since White Muscat belongs to varieties, not hybrids.
Vine
A young vine of a green hue, matures at 75-90% of the length. Then the shoots acquire a light brown color, while dark areas are visible on the nodes. Mature bushes have quite a few barren vines that need to be broken off regularly. Thanks to this, the yield can be maintained at a fairly high level.
Characterization
The variety is valued for its taste. The pulp gives a pronounced nutmeg flavor, it is used to make wines. The fruits ripen relatively early. The main wave of fruiting occurs in September.
Ripening period of white Muscat grapes
In terms of ripening, white Muscat grapes belong to mid-early or medium (mid-ripening) varieties. From the moment the buds open until the berries reach technical maturity, 140-150 days pass, sometimes less or more.
For harvesting dry wine, as well as in case of unfavorable weather forecast, harvesting can be started a few weeks earlier.
Productivity
The yield of white Muscat grapes is not stable. The indicator can vary in the range of 60-120 centners per hectare. This is due to the fact that less than half of fruitful shoots grow – about 44%. The fruiting coefficient is estimated at the level of 0,46, the fruiting coefficient is 1,22 bunches per shoot.
Taste
The pulp of the berries is juicy, has a strongly pronounced nutmeg flavor, which is the reason for the name of the variety. Sweet tones with moderate sourness are felt. In general, the taste is rated as very good, which is noted in the register of selection achievements.
Muscat tones are well expressed in the taste of grapes.
Growing regions
Muscat white can be grown in all regions of southern Our Country – the North Caucasus, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, the Republic of Crimea, Adygea, Kalmykia. Also in the register of breeding achievements it is indicated that grapes can be cultivated in the regions of the Lower Volga region, for example, in the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions.
Frost resistance
Muscat white does not belong to winter-hardy varieties. It requires mandatory shelter in all regions, including the south. Moreover, this rule applies to both young seedlings and adult bushes.
Drought tolerance
Data on drought resistance in the description of the variety is not given. It can be assumed that in the heat the bushes need additional watering to maintain productivity.
Disease and pest resistance
Variety Muscat white does not have good immunity. It can suffer from mildew and gray rot, and there is also no resistance to phylloxera, cluster leafworm and spider mites. Therefore, preventive treatment with fungicides should be carried out every spring. In summer, the bushes are periodically inspected and, when pests appear, folk remedies or insecticides, insectoacaricides are used.
Methods of Use
Grapes Muscat white refers to technical varieties. It is used for the production of vintage dessert wines. Fresh consumption is allowed.
The composition and benefits of white Muscat grapes
The pulp contains sugars, vitamins (including C, E, K, group B, PP), as well as trace elements (selenium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and others). Thanks to this, grapes are able to stabilize blood pressure, increase efficiency, improve memory and concentration. It should be remembered that it contains a lot of simple carbohydrates, so people with diabetes and obesity can eat berries only in small quantities.
Advantages and disadvantages
Muscat white variety has a very good taste. Despite several serious shortcomings, it continues to be grown in southern Our Country and in some regions of the Volga region.
The fruits are used to make white wines.
Pros:
- pleasant taste;
- noticeable nutmeg flavor;
- suitable for the production of vintage wines;
- can be used fresh, for making juices, compotes.
Cons:
- low winter hardiness;
- unstable yield;
- in unfavorable weather, there is a strong pea of berries;
- buds and ovaries are prone to shedding;
- almost 60% of the shoots are infertile;
- the kidneys wake up early, may suffer from age-related frosts;
- no resistance to mildew, spider mites.
Planting grapes Muscat white
Planting seedlings of the Muscat white variety is planned a month before frost – i.e. from late September to mid-October (depending on the region). The place should be well lit and without stagnant moisture. Landing instructions are standard:
- Soak the roots of seedlings in a solution of “Epin” or another growth stimulator.
- Dig several holes measuring 70 * 70 cm.
- Put small stones on the bottom (layer 10 cm).
- Set the seedling in the center.
- Cover with fertile soil and tamp it down so that the root neck is flush with the surface
- Water, mulch, cover for the winter.
Caring for white Muscat grapes
Caring for grapes of this variety has several features:
- For the winter, plantings are mulched and covered. To do this, the grape bushes are removed from the supports and placed on wooden boards or on spruce branches. From above they cover with spruce branches, dry foliage or dense agrofibre.
- In spring, fruit shoots of white Muscat grapes should be shortened so that 10-12 buds remain on them (55-65 buds per bush).
- Barren vines need to be constantly broken (also better in spring).
Otherwise, the rules of care are standard – periodic watering, fertilizing, mulching, loosening and weeding, pruning, treatment from pests and diseases.
Conclusion
White Muscat grapes have a pleasant taste and aroma. This is a technical variety that is suitable for making wines. Requires special care, including shelter for the winter. Subject to agricultural technology, culture can be bred even in the regions of the Lower Volga region.
Reviews of white Muscat grapes
