Contents
Theoretically, wine can be made from any grape, but the quality of the drink will vary. It’s all about the chemical composition of the berries, which is expressed in the basic parameters for winemaking: the ratio of sugar and acids, the presence or absence of aromatic substances and the amount of juice. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right grape varieties for wine that are suitable for a particular climate zone.
Theory
By appointment, all grapes are divided into table and technical varieties. Table berries are large and sweet, they are consumed fresh, while technical berries are smaller and sour, they are processed. But this does not mean that the technical group of varieties is worse, just that they are completely different berries in terms of chemical composition. The best grape varieties for wine are technical.
To make wine, sweet berries are required (15-30% sugar in juice) with a relatively low acidity – 5,5-12 g / l. It is desirable that the juice yield be at the level of 65-85% by weight of the berries.
If the problem of low sugar content can still be solved by adding sugar or fructose, then to reduce acidity, it is necessary to dilute the juice with water or neutralize the acid chemically, for example, with chalk, gypsum or eggshell. In both cases, the quality of the drink will noticeably decrease.
In addition to varietal characteristics, the chemical composition of grape juice is influenced by climate: temperature during the growing season, relative humidity, soil composition, number of sunny days, etc.
In general, industrial grapes are easier to grow than table grapes. Most technical varieties are unpretentious in care: they endure a sharp change in weather, are frost-resistant, more resistant to diseases, less demanding on soil nutrition, and do without careful pruning. But for optimal sugar content and acidity, the berries must receive enough sun and moisture. It is also required to limit the yield by controlling the number of clusters – up to 2 kg of berries can be harvested from one bush, otherwise the quality of the wine will deteriorate.
Versatile grape varieties for red wine
Isabel – the most common variety of dark grapes in Russia, which is cultivated in almost all regions. Easy to care for and does not require shelter for the winter. Bred in the USA, grown in Europe for over 300 years.
The berries are purple or dark blue, weighing 2-3 g, usually covered with bloom, have a specific strawberry-peat flavor. The fruits ripen closer to frost.
In EU countries, making wine from Isabella grapes is prohibited, since the finished drink may exceed the permissible level of methyl alcohol and hydrocyanic acid.
Lydia (pink Isabella) – is considered a technical table variety. The berries are dark pink, and the taste is not for everyone: thick skin and slimy pulp with hard-to-separate pits. Acidity depends on ripeness. In the aroma, tones of dugout are strongly felt.
Lydia grapes have lower frost resistance than Isabella, but the variety is not afraid of waterlogging. Berries ripen unevenly. In the central strip of Russia, if the vineyard is located in the shade, the grapes may not have time to ripen before the onset of frost.
The mass of clusters is rarely more than 100 g, but there are a lot of clusters on the bush, so the yield is relatively high. In general, Lydia is more capricious in care, and because of the mucous pulp, the fermented wine is clarified for a long time.
dove – an early grape variety for wine, popular in Russia and Belarus, with almost black berries, giving an intensely colored juice. The taste is simple, with light tones of blackcurrant. Berries weigh about 2 g, the mass of clusters – up to 120 grams.
The dove ripens much earlier than Isabella, harvesting is possible at the end of summer. The variety is resistant to most diseases, withstands frosts down to -24 ° C.
Black Pearl – mid-early technical grape variety, harvested in early September. The berries are dark blue, oval with juicy pulp. Muscat tones are traced in the taste. Productivity – up to 7 kg of berries per bush, sugar content – up to 24%. It has an optimal initial acidity – 6-7 g / l.
In the southern strip of Russia and Ukraine, the Black Pearl variety does not require shelter, withstands frosts down to -26 ° C. With proper care, it rarely gets sick.
Cabernet Sauvignon – one of the best varieties for making red wine. Differs in small, blue or almost black berries with a thick skin. The taste is tart with currant notes and tones of nightshade. Sugar content – up to 23%.
The growing season lasts 5-6 months, the weight of the bunches is up to 90 g, many berries fall off during the ripening process. The variety is frost-resistant, but because of the late ripening of the fruit, it is grown only in the southern regions, for example, in the North Caucasus, Cabernet Sauvignon berries do not ripen until mid-October.
Versatile grape varieties for white wine
friendship – one of the most popular varieties of white grapes for wine, bred in Novocherkassk. The berries are large, with a greenish tinge and a nutmeg flavor. Frost resistance up to -23 ° C, therefore, it requires shelter for the winter. Differs in the increased resistance to diseases. The weight of the bunches is up to 300 g.
Aligote – mid-early French grape variety, the harvest can be harvested at the end of summer. The berries are yellow-green, have a light aroma without nutmeg tones. Sugar content is usually not lower than 18%. Average frost resistance and susceptibility to fungal diseases. It responds well to watering, but if waterlogged, the berries can rot.
Aksay – Russian grape variety, the harvest ripens by mid-September. White berries weighing 1,8 g. Juicy pulp, sugar content – up to 22%, high acidity – more than 9 g / l. From one bush you can collect up to 5 kg of berries. Suitable for making dry white wines. Withstands frosts down to -29 °C. Moderately susceptible to disease.
White nutmeg – the fruits ripen for about 140 days, the grapes are distinguished by high juiciness and a mass of clusters up to 500 g. The berries have a high sugar content (above 20%) and a persistent aroma. White Muscat has low frost resistance and is prone to disease. There are many small berries in the clusters.
Chardonnay – French white grape variety, suitable for growing in warm climates, can be cultivated in the southern regions of Russia. The berries are greenish-white in color with a thin skin. Depending on climatic conditions, apple, peach, lemon and other notes may appear in the juice. It takes approximately 140 days from bud swelling to harvest. In the southern regions of Russia, Chardonnay ripens by the end of September. The variety does not tolerate high humidity and is prone to fungal diseases.
Grape varieties for the Moscow region
In the Moscow region, for most industrial grape varieties, there is not enough heat and sun: the frost-free period lasts up to 4,5 months, the average temperature in July is 17-19 degrees, frosts are possible until July 10 and after September 22. Grapes in the Moscow region are grown under winter shelter, planting vines in shallow trenches from south to north. When normalizing the crop, up to half of the clusters are removed, otherwise the sugar content will be very low.
In addition to Lydia and Isabella, other varieties grow well in this region.
Crystal – an ultra-early technical variety of Hungarian selection. Frost resistance – up to -20 ° C, so shelter is required. The berries are white, very sweet. Productivity – up to 200 grams per bunch. Requires very high light, otherwise the fruits crumble.
Dobrinya – a universal variety of red grapes of Russian selection. Ripens in 100-110 days. The berries are black, round, very juicy. Frost resistance – up to -35 ° C. The variety has an average resistance to diseases.
Harmony – a mid-season variety of dark grapes, ripens 130-140 days after the appearance of the first leaves. Resistant to frost (up to -25 ° C) and diseases. Berries are dark blue, juicy. The wines are ruby in color.
Saperavi North – mid-season high-yielding variety with frost resistance up to 23 ° C and high resistance to diseases, tolerates drought well. Ripens in 140 days from the beginning of the growing season (until about mid-September). The berries are medium in size, dark blue, oval and with a strong bloom. Sugar content – 20-25%. Often used in winemaking for blending with other varieties.
Amur – one of the easiest grape varieties to grow for wine. Able to withstand frosts down to -43 ° C, so for the winter it is not even removed from its supports, it rarely gets sick. The taste is simple, the sweetness is medium. Requires grapes to ripen in direct sunlight.
Grape varieties for Siberia
Growing grapes in Siberia is difficult, but possible. The advantage of the region is the low spread of diseases and pests. The main problem is to securely cover the grapes for the winter. All green operations on the vine are carried out in early summer. The grapes are not sprayed, they are not fed, and they do not even loosen the soil, training the vine to overcome difficulties.
In addition to Isabella and Amur in Siberia, it is realistic to get a normal harvest from the following varieties.
Alpha – mid-season grape variety (harvest ripens in 5 months). Sugar content – 15-16%, acidity – 10-11 g / l. The berries are black with a purple tint, they taste like Isabella – they have the same strawberry aroma. Productivity – up to 2 kg per bush. Resistance to diseases is above average, frost resistance – up to -45 ° C.
Muscat Katunsky – medium-late grape variety with high yield. White berries weighing up to 3 g. It has an average winter hardiness, so shelter is required. Moderate disease resistance. The variety tolerates rainy seasons well and has time to ripen even in cool summers.
Violet early – an early technical grape variety, ripens in less than 120 days. The berries are dark purple, weighing 2,5 g. Sugar content – 18-20%. The pulp is juicy, the taste is dominated by nutmeg tones. Requires mandatory thinning of bunches. Frost resistance – up to 30 ° C, slightly susceptible to diseases. Suitable for making dessert wines with muscat tones.
Technical grape varieties for Ukraine
In most of the territory of Ukraine, with varying success, it is possible to grow almost all technical varieties of grapes, it is also advisable to cultivate the varieties listed below.
Bastardo Magarachsky – differs in round berries of dark blue color with a thick skin. Sugar content – up to 30%. In the central regions, the crop is harvested at the end of September. Moderate disease resistance. Suitable for making dessert wines.
Muscat pink – a dark grape variety with almost black berries with a strong nutmeg aroma. Sugar content – 18-24%. In the southern regions, it ripens in 140 days. Differs in average productivity and low frost resistance.
Bianca – Hungarian early grape variety with sugar content up to 28%. Harvest ripens at the end of summer. Frost resistance – up to -27 ° C. Resistance to diseases is above average. Depending on the locality of growth, the berries have honey or creamy notes of taste.
Riesling – is considered one of the best white grape varieties for wine. The berries are greenish-white in color with a thin, almost transparent, but very strong skin. Sugar content – 18-22%, acidity – 6,5-10 g / l. Average amount of juice. The variety normally tolerates frosts, but it is better to grow it in the South of Ukraine.
Feteaska – early ripe technical variety with small clusters. The berries are round, small, green in color with a thin skin. Harvest ripens in early September. Sugar content – up to 27%, high juice content. Differs in good resistance to diseases, but strongly suffers from pests. Can winter without shelter throughout Ukraine.
