Lydia is a grape variety widely distributed in the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine, as well as in Moldova. This variety is especially popular with Russian summer residents and homeowners, not only because of high and stable yields, but also as an ornamental plant that will decorate any garden gazebo or pargola. However, in Europe, this variety is banned.
Features of the grape variety Lydia
It is a hybrid variety resulting from interspecific crossing of the traditional European cultivars Vitis vinifera with the wild American Vitis labrusca. It belongs to the so-called isabelle varieties, the group of which, in addition to Isabella itself, also includes Seibel, Kuderk, Tiras, Rainor and others. Externally, Lydia berries resemble Isabella berries, they have the same size and round shape. But, unlike Isabella, their color is not dark purple, but pinkish with a purple tint, so sometimes she is also called Pink Isabella. Both varieties are technical, used mainly for the production of wine. The size of the berries is typical for technical varieties, it does not exceed 1,5 cm. They have a pronounced strawberry flavor and a peculiar aroma, which is difficult to confuse with any other. Therefore, gourmets do not really like them, since this taste and aroma prevails in any dish or drink for the preparation of which Lydia or Isabella was used.
Lydia, like all varieties of this group, is distinguished by unpretentious care, high yield and immunity to those diseases that are a scourge for traditional European varieties. However, European grapes owe these diseases to the progenitor of Lydia – the wild American grape.
The calorie content of white grapes is 45-50 kcal, red – no more than 70 kcal
Lydia is a grape variety with an interesting history. After the discovery of America, the wild grape variety Vitis labrusca discovered there was brought to Europe for breeding work. However, along with him, diseases, hitherto unknown, fell into the Old World: phylloxera and oidium, or powdery mildew. It turned out that the “savage” was completely immune to them, but among the delicate European varieties, mass death began. The situation was saved only by the work of breeders, who began to graft cultivars on the root systems of Vitis labrusca.
As a result, varieties were obtained that were not afraid of diseases brought to Europe, the taste of which was noticeably different from those that have been cultivated for centuries. Due to their durability and unpretentiousness, they quickly became popular and spread throughout Europe, and along the Black Sea coast they reached the Transcaucasia, where it was also appreciated for its decorative qualities, using it to shade yards and open areas. The high yields that this grape regularly produced every year, as well as the increased sugar content, became the reason for its use for the production of table wines and semi-sweet wines.
As marketing research shows, Russians prefer table wines to dry wines, which are so popular in Europe. Therefore, wines from the Lidia variety and those that are produced by the method of blending it enjoy special love in Russia. They are now supplied from Moldova, Crimea and Abkhazia, produced at wineries in the Krasnodar Territory.
But since 1999, when the EU directive No. 1493/1999, article 19 and EC No. 883/2001, article 21 of the European Union banned the import of wines using raw materials of hybrid varieties, Lydia in the company of all isable varieties is considered in Europe, and more recently and in the United States, persona non grata. The pretext for such a harsh decision was the large amount of pectins that are typical for hybrids. As a result of the fermentation process, pectins are converted into methinols, which can be harmful and even lead to death and blindness. Metinol poisoning can provoke such a dangerous disease as multiple sclerosis, because in the process of digestion it is oxidized to formic acid and formaldehyde – toxic substances that cause many health problems and complications.
Prohibition of Lydia grapes
Fresh Lydia is as healthy and safe as all other varieties. Since her growing season is quite long, about 160 days, she ripens late – in the middle of autumn. At this time, you can not only enjoy the taste of this wonderful grape, its aromatic sweetness, but also pamper your body with many useful substances, trace elements and vitamins. Thanks to the increased calorie content, with two or three bunches of Lydia, you can easily satisfy your hunger.
Grape seeds and skins contain a large amount of antioxidants that stop the aging process and prevent the development of cancer
The sugar content in the grapes of the isable group is quite high – about 19%, therefore the calorie content of the Lydia variety is also high – 70-75 kcal. It also depends on how sunny the season was. Flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols contained in Lydia help to get rid of toxins and toxins, and potassium mineral salts have the most beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Fresh berries and juice of Lydia grapes have a complex effect on the body, they are recommended to be eaten every day for those who are in the recovery period after an illness, engaged in hard physical labor.
This variety is not recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus, it is harmful for those suffering from stomach ulcers and is prohibited to all those who generally have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It is also necessary to give up these grapes if you are obese or suffer from diarrhea.
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