The best grape varieties for winemaking

Wine can be made from almost any grape, but do not forget that it is the variety that determines the characteristics of taste, aromatic bouquet and color of the drink. And not all varieties are suitable for a really high-quality drink. To ensure that home wine products do not disappoint and please with the expected results, it is worth choosing the right wine grape variety.

Technical grapes

The grapes intended for the production of wine and natural juice are called technical. It differs from dining rooms in more modest dense clusters with medium and small juicy berries. The technical grape varieties have a high juice content (75–85% of the berry weight).

The acidity and sugar content of the berries determines what type of wine product (for example, dry or dessert wine, champagne or cognac) can be made from a given grape variety. Sugar in technical varieties intended for wine production must be more than 18%.

An important quality of technical grapes is high yield stability.

It should be noted that the same technical grape varieties can have completely different uses depending on the climate, soils and other features of the area where it is cultivated.

Technical grape varieties are grown in all geographic zones where the cultivation of this crop is possible, Ukraine is no exception.

Popular varieties for winemaking

The best varieties for industrial and home production of wine products include:

• Aligote;
• Cabernet Sauvignon;
• Merlot;
• White Muscat;
• Pinot Noir;
• Riesling;
• Rkatsiteli;
• Saperavi;
• Traminerrose (Tramin);
• Chardonnay.

White and dark grapes are used to make material for sparkling drinks (champagne) and cognac, a wide range of high-quality wines of various types: dry red / white, sweet (dessert), liqueur (strong).

White and pink technical varieties

White wine can be made from almost any grape (including dark, if the juice of the berries is colorless). The technology for the production of white wines (fermentation on white) is based on the use of squeezed grape juice without the skin (the skin contains coloring pigments), so a light drink is obtained, the shades of which vary from golden yellow to cognac. Only light (white) wines are obtained from white grapes.

Aligote

This popular French grape, which has been known for more than three hundred years, is considered one of the main varieties of white grapes for the production of high-quality natural juices, white table (dry) wines, vintage champagne, as well as blend and cognac blanks. Aligote is grown in France, USA (California), Eastern Europe.

For example, vintage wines "Perlina stepu" and "Aligote" (Ukraine) are made from this variety grown in Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk regions.

Wine from Aligote is best consumed by young people, since the aging process does not improve drinks from this technical variety.

Berries of medium size, round, delicate light green color, thin skin. The taste of the grapes is pleasant, the flesh is sweetish, very delicate, so this grape is also used as a table grape.

Riesling

The oldest German variety cultivated in Alsace and on the banks of the Rhine. This amazing grape competes with the recognized leader among white wine varieties - French Chardonnay.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, German Riesling wine was very highly valued, its cost was as high as the prices for the most famous red wines from France.

An excellent dry wine from Riesling has a characteristic taste that combines amazing softness, fruity sour notes and light astringency.

Small dense bunches of these grapes are formed by round and very juicy greenish berries. Vine bushes easily tolerate frost, which makes it possible to grow this variety in different climatic zones.

It is a high-yielding (up to 100 kg / ha), stable variety, which is important for successful winemaking.

Ukraine cultivates the Rhine Riesling.

Chardonnay

This technical grape is an excellent material for a wide variety of French dry wines. It is considered the main variety for champagne winemaking. The birthplace of grapes is Burgundy.

Professional winemakers are sure that it is simply impossible to make bad wine from these grapes.

This variety is ideal for the production of a hop drink in all characteristics. In Chardonnay wines, a rich bouquet of aromas gradually unfolds in the process of making the drink. Moreover, the aroma of wine depends on the technology of its production.

It can be light drinks with a delicate scent of fruit, with citrus and floral notes, or rich sugary wines with the taste and smell of honey or sweet aromatic pastries, marzipans.

Long ripening reveals the taste of hazel and dry fruit in the wine.

The greenish-white Chardonnay grapes moderately accumulate sugar, and slowly decrease acidity during ripening.

Despite the fact that the variety has a moderate yield (70 kg / ha), is susceptible to fungal diseases, and in rainy years it suffers from gray rot, it is very popular among winemakers.

White Muscat

This variety has a pleasant nutmeg aroma, which gives wine products a special piquancy and attractiveness. It has sweet, fleshy berries with a tough skin.

Of the variety of nutmeg varieties, white is the most delicate and refined. It is used to make noble sweet (dessert) and aromatic sparkling wines.

White Muscat bushes are sensitive to frost, so in the northern regions they need to be covered during the winter.

Rkatsiteli

These Georgian grapes are used to prepare pleasant strong and dry wines of the highest quality. This variety is also called Poplar, King or Budashuri. It is also cultivated in the southern regions of Ukraine.

A variety with a high yield, the brushes stay on the vine for a long time, which allows more rational use of the crop for the manufacture of various varieties of intoxicating drinks. The round, light green, almost transparent berries have a very original taste.

Traminer pink (Tramin)

This is one of the oldest technical varieties in Austria, which is cultivated throughout Europe, despite the fact that its yield is significantly dependent on weather conditions.

It is considered one of the most valuable technical varieties. It produces excellent sparkling, original table and unusual dessert drinks with an exquisite aroma of rose petals.

Tramin has small dense clusters, berries are light pink with a bluish bloom, the skin is strong, dense, the flesh is juicy, melting.
The yield is not very high (60 kg / ha). The bushes are frost-resistant.

Red and black technical grades

Red wines are made only from dark grapes (red and black varieties are suitable). Red fermentation takes place on the pulp with the skin. The color range of red wines is from light red to intense ruby.

Rosé wines are also made from grapes with red berries. To obtain a delicate pink color of the drink, the pulp ferments for several hours, then the pulp is removed and fermentation continues on natural juice. The color of this wine is from pinkish to pale red.

White wines can be made from dark grape varieties, the berries of which have colorless juice.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Famous French wine grape. Used for the production of dry (table) and sweet wine. This variety allows you to get quality drinks that are velvety, delicate and delicate taste, special beauty of the bouquet.

In young wine, she strongly smells and tastes of nightshade and morocco (leather), so such drinks are considered rude. Maturation refines the wine, significantly changing its taste and aroma. All the richness of the Cabernet drink is manifested to the maximum in 8-10 years.

White wine from Cabernet is very different in taste and smell from red.

The grape clusters are cylindrical, the berries are small, dark with a light taste of grass and nightshade, very juicy.

The yield is high (100 kg / ha). This variety is not afraid of cold weather, it is resistant to grape diseases, which made it one of the most popular among producers of quality red wines.

Ukraine is also among the countries where Cabernet is successfully cultivated.

Pinot Noir

The birthplace of this amazing Burgundy grape. It has a sweet taste and rich texture. This variety, like no other, gives a wide variety of flavor notes and amazes with its rich bouquet.

The resulting wine depends on the region of growth, the technology of wine preparation and many other nuances. Winemakers consider this grape the most mysterious and unpredictable.

But, most importantly, Pinot allows you to get very tasty and high-quality products. It is used to prepare excellent champagne (white / red / pink), high-quality dry drinks. Aged collection wines from grapes of this variety are one of the most expensive and are very popular with true connoisseurs.

Small dense clusters have very beautiful blue-black or purple berries. Grape juice is colorless, but the skin of the grapes is very rich in pigment.

The variety tolerates frosty weather well, is resistant to diseases, it is cultivated in many countries of the world, one of them is Ukraine.

Merlot Noir

Merlot is a fairly popular technical grape. The homeland of Merlot is Bordeaux (France), but this variety is actively cultivated in Italy. It is considered quite young, for the first time it was mentioned about Merlot only in the 18th century, as the best variety in one of the Libourne winemaking centers.

Merlot is an excellent material for high quality dry and dessert drinks. Wine, including young wine, has a surprisingly mild taste, which combines herbal and fruity notes. To make the wine taste better, drinks from Merlot are aged in oak barrels. Merlot Noir organically complements Cabernet Sauvignon in the traditional blend of Bordeaux winemakers.

Rounded black grapes have dense skin and juicy flesh. The berry has a sweetish nightshade flavor.

general review

Some gardeners manage to make wine from almost every available grape variety.However, the technology of wine production provides for the use of certain varieties of culture, filled with a whole bunch of aromas. The most popular white and blue wine varieties are discussed in this article.

The best wine grape varieties

The grapes from which juices and wine are made are called technical. The characteristic of the bunches looks modest in comparison with the table species:

• medium to small size with densely packed fruits;
• the average weight of the hand is 120-150 grams;
• high content of juice (75-85% of the weight of the berry);
• the sugar content exceeds 18%.

Wine grapes bear fruit well and consistently. This is facilitated by the increased resistance of plants to fungal infections and pest attacks. Next, we will find out which variety is best suited for winemaking.

The best white varieties for winemaking

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a world-famous technical grade of Western European origin. It is not possible to thoroughly find out the pedigree, but there is an opinion that the variety appeared thanks to the crossing of Pinot noir and Gue blanc.

Berries are processed to produce wines with different flavor notes and fruity aromas. Also, part of the harvest is annually sent for the manufacture of wine materials, which are subsequently used as a champagne flavor enhancer.

Brief characteristics of the plant:

• the bush is medium-sized, although strong-growing lashes are also found;
• the growing season lasts 130-140 days;
• flowers are bisexual, which ensures good pollination;
• conical clusters are loose, weight reaches 900-1000 grams;
• white-green berries are set off with a golden tint;
• fruit shape - rounded slightly elongated;
• grape weight - 12-15 gr., each contains 2-3 seeds;
• sugar content - 18% with an acidity of 8-12 g / l;
• yield - 8-12 t / ha;
• the culture is frost-resistant, can withstand temperatures up to minus 20 °.

Chardonnay tolerates drought, with an excess of humid environment, the fruits can rot. Resistance to mildew and powdery mildew is moderate.

Chardonnay variety

Bianca

Wine material from Bianchi has an unsurpassed taste with notes of vanilla, almonds. For the production of table, semi-sweet and other wines, blending with other juices with a low sugar content is used. This helps to avoid the sweetness that is characteristic of this grape.

The grape was bred on the territory of Hungary, the parents are Villars Blanc and Chasselas Bouvier.

Brief characteristics of the plant:

• early ripening, growing season - 110-120 days;
• medium-sized bush;
• cylindrical brushes, weight 90-120 gr .;
• fruits are small and medium, weight 1.5 g .;
• the shape of the berries is round, slightly elongated, the color is greenish-yellow;
• the skin is thin, the taste is harmonious, filled with a bouquet of aromas;
• the crop does not lose its presentation on the vine after the onset of full maturity;
• sugar content - 20-28% with an acidity of 7-9 g / l;
• there is a high resistance to mildew, gray rot, oidium, tolerance to phylloxera;
• frost resistance - up to minus 27 °.

Bianca on the vine does not lose its appearance even after full maturation

Muscat

Medium-early ripening muscat with a growing season of 130-140 days. Muscat is one of the oldest varieties originating from Syria, Arabia and Egypt. The peculiarity of the culture is the ability to accumulate a high level of sugar (up to 25% with an acidity of 6.5-7 g / l).

A brief description of:

• medium-sized bush;
• the weight of a conical bunch is 100-450 grams;
• berries sit tightly on the brush, the weight of one is on average 4 grams;
• the taste is saturated with nutmeg;
• yield - 66-109 c / ha;
• disease resistance is low.

Excellent marketability and taste outweighs poor survival in adverse climatic conditions. Grapes immediately react to a lack of moisture and its excess, does not have resistance to low temperatures, and requires potassium dressing.

Muscat close up

Sauvignon Blanc

The variety was obtained by crossing Chenin Blanc and Taminer. Thanks to its excellent taste, balance of sugar and acidity, grapes are recognized all over the world. The peculiarity of the culture is the timely harvest. When overripe, the berry loses its properties and taste, becomes unsuitable for winemaking.

A brief description of:

• growing season 130-135 days;
• bushes are medium-sized, but powerful enough with a developed root system;
• clusters of small size, weight is 75-120 grams;
• the berry is small, the color is greenish-white with a waxy coating (each contains 2-3 seeds);
• low yield;
• sugar content - 18-23% with an acidity of 6.7-11 g / l.

The culture shows weak resistance to powdery mildew and gray mold, tolerance to mildew. In growing conditions with high humidity, shedding of flowers is noted. Soils are preferable with the content of clayey interlayers, as well as gravel and sandy inclusions.

Sauvignon Blanc - the main thing is not to wait for the berries to ripen so as not to spoil the wine

Riesling

The variety, donated by nature itself, is considered the king in winemaking. High-quality wines are made from berries with excellent taste, which are filled with different notes and shades.

A brief description of:

• growing season - 140-150 days;
• dense clusters, weight 80-100 gr.;
• berries are yellow-green with a bluish tinge, weight 1.3-1.5 g., rounded shape;
• the skin is dense, but thin;
• frost resistance up to minus 20 °;
• full ripening of fruits occurs in October-November;
• sugar content 18% with acidity 9-11 g / l;
• disease resistance is low.

Fruiting grapes on different soils, but land with lime content is more acceptable.

Riesling has low disease resistance

Pinot Blanc

The representative of the Pinot family is characterized by multifaceted taste, it is used to make still, sparkling and dessert wines. Burgundy is the birthplace of the plant, but today almost all European countries and other regions can boast of high yields.

A brief description of:

• growing season - 140-150 days;
• clusters of medium density weighing 85-150 grams;
• berries of a round shape, yellow-green color, weight 1.4-1.7 g;
• the average sugar content reaches 20%.

The peculiarity of the variety lies in the low content of acid and aromatic substances, as a result of which Pinot Blanc is recommended for making wine, which should be consumed by young people.

Ripening period Pinot Blanc - 150 days

What are the best varieties for red wine

Pinot noir

Black fruitful grapes ripen in 141-151 days. There is no reliable information about the origin, but Traminer and Pinot Meunier are considered the likely parents. The bush is medium-sized with an unusual color of the lower leaves (green with a red tint). The flowers are bisexual, there are no problems with pollination. A bunch of small sizes, weighing 66-120 grams, the shape is often cylindrical. The berry has a pleasant taste, colorless juice, balanced sugar content. Its shape is round, the color is dark blue.

The yield of Pinot Noir is 50-60 c / ha. The plant is vulnerable to phylloxera, tolerance to gray rot, powdery mildew is manifested.

Grapes develop poorly on flat and low relief.

Pinot noir is vulnerable to phylloxera and gray rot

Saperavi

A very old Georgian grape variety with dark blue berries. Saperavi vegetation period is 150-160 days, harvesting begins in late September - early October. The bush is beautifully hung with wide-conical bunches with small grapes, the weight of one is 90-100 gr. The berry is very juicy with a harmonious taste, its weight barely exceeds 1 g. Each contains 2-3 seeds.

The plant has a weak resistance to mildew, oidium, at high humidity it is affected by gray rot. In comparison with other varieties, it is less likely to be damaged by a leafworm.

The yield of Saperavi is 90-110 kg / ha.The culture is frost-resistant, survives the winter without shelter at a temperature not exceeding -20 °.

Saperavi is a frost-resistant variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon berries are very juicy with a balanced taste, shaded by a hint of currant. The variety was bred in France, but is now cultivated in many countries of the world. Technical ripeness occurs in 143-165 days. The bunch has the shape of a cylinder, the weight is 70-80 grams. Each berry contains 1-3 seeds. The skin is dark blue in color of medium density, which ensures good preservation and transportability of the fruit.

Productivity - 55-60 c / ha. There is an increased resistance of the culture to mildew and gray rot. In comparison with other varieties, it resists phylloxera, leafworm attacks better.

Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal for winemaking

Cabernet Franc

Technical ripeness occurs in 145-160 days. The unusual taste of berries is filled with different notes, in which you can feel raspberries and blackberries. Cylindrical bunches have a dark blue color, the weight does not exceed 70-90 grams. The yield is low (35-40 c / ha), but this is compensated by the good resistance of the plant to mildew, phylloxera.

Cabernet Franc variety

Merlot

The Merlot variety was bred in France, the intended parents are Cabernet Franc, crossed with Magdalene and Noir de Charente. The clusters are medium in size and density, have a dark blue color with a characteristic waxy coating, weighing 110-150 grams. The taste is balanced with a touch of nightshade.

The grapes ripen in 152-164 days. The plant shows average resistance to powdery mildew, phylloxera, mildew. Frost resistance - up to minus 15-17 °.

Merlot has medium frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to -15

Sangiovese

Italian thermophilic technical grape with a vegetation period of 145-160 days... The bushes are medium-sized, the flowers are bisexual, the clusters are cylindrical of medium density, weighing up to 100 grams. There are many clones that have slightly different parameters of the berries (0.7 - 1.3 grams). The flavor of the fruit, saturated with different notes, adds sophistication to any drink.

Heat-loving Sangiovese variety

Syrah

The variety is resistant to cold and high temperatures, but does not tolerate strong winds and drought. Taste qualities meet the requirements of technical varieties of grapes, however, it cannot boast of a high yield (30 c / ha). The juice of the fruits of mature plants is saturated with a beautiful dark purple hue and density. Fruit ripening period is 145-158 days. The weight of the shirokokonicheskaya bunch is within 80-120 gr.

Syrah is very capricious to weather conditions and requires a lot of light and heat.

late-ripening Syrah grapes

Carmenere

The grape belongs to the old French varieties with a growing season of 152-165 days. Currently, it is widely cultivated mainly in Chile, it is considered the pride of the country. The bushes of the plant are vigorous, the bunch can be in the form of a cylinder, broad-conical and shapeless, the weight is 75-100 grams.

A medium-sized berry barely weighs 1 g, but the pulp is very tasty, sweet, but without sugary. The beautiful dark purple color makes it possible to produce wines from pink to dark in color.

Carmenere is very sensitive to weather conditions, cold, shows low resistance to diseases. However, the grapes survived the phylloxer.

French Carmenere

Mourvedre

A late-ripening plant native to Spain. The bushes are well developed, have a strong vine and root system. Leaves are medium in size with a characteristic three-lobed shape. Dark blue berries are often rounded, but can take on a slightly oval shape, the parameters are average. Productivity with low watering is up to 60 kg / ha, but with regular irrigation it can significantly increase. The bunches are formed in the form of a cone or cylinder, the berries are tightly pressed against each other.

The culture has a weak resistance to fungal infections, but it tolerates prolonged drought rather tolerably, and high requirements are not imposed on the type of soil when planting.

Dense Mourvèdre berry

Grenache

A versatile variety, but most often the fruit is used to make grapes and juice. The variety is one of the most abundant on the planet due to the versatility of the vine. The grapes are very thermophilic, easily tolerate drought and heat. There are also no high requirements for the soil when planting seedlings. Productivity in dry conditions is high - up to 20 kg / ha. Features of berries: low acidity, juiciness, ruby ​​color, rich aroma.

Drought-resistant Grenache variety

Each variety has unique qualities that give the wine a unique shade and aroma. Before choosing a variety, it is necessary to clarify the compatibility of the wine material with juices of other varieties, then at home you can create an exquisite drink, and most importantly - an exclusive one, the taste of which will remain in your memory for a long time.

The real flourishing of winemaking began in ancient times, and now there is not a single country in which this craft is not engaged. For the production of wine, special varieties are used, called technical ones. When growing them, more attention is paid not to the appearance of the bunches, but to the chemical composition of the berries, which should contain a sufficient amount of sugars.

The best wine grape varieties

Each nation has its own preferences in the choice of wines, and in their production, varieties are used, especially typical for cultivation in a particular region. Red wines are considered more valuable in terms of useful properties, but they are grown exclusively in the southern regions and the middle lane. The colder the climate, the less common vineyards of red varieties, but white ones are more resistant to such growing conditions.

In technical varieties, berries can have different colors - white, pink, red and even black. It is she who gives the future wine an original color, and the smell of grapes brings a specific, easily recognizable aroma to the drink.

All wine varieties have small or medium-sized berries, with a thick skin and a high content of juice, which is fermented into a hoppy drink. The percentage of sugars accumulated in fruits is important, which are converted into ethyl alcohol in the process. The best varieties for making wine are those containing 20 percent or more of sugar.

The quality of the wine depends on the growing conditions and the area in which the vineyards grow. These factors affect the juiciness of the berries.

For a good drink, it is important that the weight of the fruit in relation to the comb is low, and the juice content in the grapes reaches 85% of their weight.

The slightest deviations in these parameters and agricultural techniques will affect the quality of the juices. Therefore, from the same grape variety grown under different cultivation conditions, drinks are obtained with different tastes, which allows the production of varieties of wines.

The most common wine varieties are Western European ones, some of which have taken root quite well in Russia. Often the so-called "international" varieties are preferred by domestic winegrowers in comparison with local ones, as drinks from them have gained worldwide popularity.

For red wine

Red wines are very popular because of their taste, amazing aroma and ability to invigorate. Of the grapes used in Russia, the following grape varieties are quite popular:

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon variety

Cabernet Sauvignon is a source of various types of red wines with intense colors and an interesting blend of aromas. The French variety is late-ripening, and has loose small clusters with round bluish-black berries. Sufficiently resistant to frost, phylloxera, rot and mildew.

"Pinot noir"

Pinot noir variety

A sweeter variety, originally from Burgundy, is Pinot Noir.The vine is very capricious to the growing conditions, but if you make an effort, you will end up with an amazing noble drink.

"Merlot"

Merlot variety

The "Merlot" variety is quite yielding, its large berries with thin skin give light wines of quick ripening. The low content of acids and tannin make the drink slightly sweet, which makes it a "female" wines.

"Barbera"

Barbera variety

In the southern regions, the Italian grape variety "Barbera" is grown, the dark berries of which have a pleasant sourness. They make strong, rich in taste and rich in aroma.

"Isabel"

Isabella variety

In many garden plots of domestic summer residents, you can see the Isabella variety, which belongs to non-sheltering ones, as it perfectly tolerates winter frosts. The vine is resistant to many diseases and unpretentious to growing conditions. In industry, this variety is used to enrich the taste of other types of rosé and red wines.

"Lydia"

Variety Lydia

Traditional in the domestic winemaking is the variety "Lydia", which has round-oval large berries of a pinkish-purple hue. Slightly slimy juicy pulp has a specific flavor. The variety is considered universal, as it is used not only for the production of wines, but also for food.

"Bastardo Magarachsky"

Variety Bastardo Magarachsky

"Bastardo Magarachsky" has conical-cylindrical clusters on which dark blue berries with a high sugar content develop. The variety belongs to medium late and gives large yields.

"Muscat"

Variety Muscat Hamburg

Among the "Muscats" one can distinguish red varieties - "Hamburg" and "Tairovsky", which have a high tasting rating. The juicy pulp of dark berries gives off a nutmeg aroma (hence the name of the species), which makes the drinks obtained from grapes pleasant enough to taste.

"Saperavi"

Saperavi variety

The beetroot-burgundy color is characteristic of the Saperavi grape juice, from which, along with the wine of the same name, Kindzmarauli is also made, which was once popular in the Soviet Union.

Dobrynya

Dobrynya variety

In the Moscow region, the red variety "Dobrynya" is actively cultivated, which differs from other technical varieties in large heavy berries.

"August"

August variety

This rich red wine is obtained from the Augusta variety, grown especially for the central regions of the country. The sugar content of berry juice reaches 23%.

"Odessa Black"

Variety Odessa black

The variety "Odessa Black" has small berries with a well-defined bluish bloom. From them, a fairly saturated juice is obtained, from which an intensely colored wine is made, which has an original thorny flavor. Although the frost resistance of the variety is relative, the yield is always stable and high.

"Rondo"

Rondo variety

The "Rondo" variety can be called a hybrid - it is a derivative of the crossing of the "Amurets" and "Pinot Sepage" varieties. Matte black berries with a thin skin have a pleasant rich taste, bringing a cherry tint to the future drink. Low acidity (9 g / l) and 22% sugar content make it possible to produce wines with a pronounced merlot character. The variety is quite fruitful, resistant to mildew and perfectly tolerates frosts down to -42 ° C (in shelter), which makes it possible to grow this grape in the northern regions of the country.

To get a red wine saturated with taste and aroma, you should pay attention to the intensity of the color of the berries. Lighter shades of red produce lighter drinks. The dark-gray fruits impart the astringency characteristic of the "male" types of wines.

White varieties

Despite the fact that white technical grape varieties are inferior in composition to red ones, their percentage of cultivation is higher, since they are more adapted to the harsh growing conditions. If in the southern regions any varieties take root well, then for the northern regions white grapes are a more acceptable option.

Among the popular varieties grown in Russia are the following.

"Chardonnay"

Chardonnay variety

Chardonnay is a fairly common variety in all regions, which is considered universal - many varieties of wines are made from it. The berries are quite saturated with sugars - up to 22 g per liter of juice, which is contained in grapes up to 74%. Therefore, winemakers use this variety not only to prepare dry wines, but also to improve the quality of Champagne. The taste properties of future drinks directly depend on the growing conditions of this grape variety. The characteristics of the soil and climate give the wine different aromas - peach, lemon, apple and even oak. The disadvantages of the variety include their poor resistance to fungal diseases and "dislike" for rain.

"White Muscat"

White Muscat variety

Especially appreciated among domestic winemakers "White Muscat", from which exquisite wines are obtained. Round, yellowish (almost waxy) berries of medium size are collected in dense clusters. This variety is quite thermophilic and has an average yield.

"Shasla"

Chassela variety

"Chassela", although it belongs to the table varieties, is quite popular in winemaking. The yellow-green, round berries with a waxy bloom have a golden hue, thin skin and flesh that melts in your mouth. The wines produced from this variety have received a high tasting rating due to the harmonious taste of the drink.

"Aligote"

Aligote variety

Among the early high-yielding varieties, one can distinguish the golden-white berries of the Aligote variety, which add a pleasant sourness to the future wine.

"Riesling"

Riesling variety

A little later, "Riesling" ripens with small greenish rounded berries. For him, the nature of the high yield, but not sufficient frost resistance for the northern regions.

"Rkatsiteli"

Rkatsiteli variety

Greenish-golden, as if "tanned" berries of medium-sized grapes "Rkatsiteli", although they ripen later, but give a good harvest with proper agricultural technology. The variety is relatively frost-resistant and able to resist rot.

"Friendship"

Druzhba variety

Among the superearly varieties, Druzhba, created by domestic breeders, stands out. In terms of quality and taste, it is somewhat reminiscent of the "Chassela" variety, and in terms of aroma it is closer to "Muscat". By the end of ripening, up to 21% of sugars accumulate in the berries, which makes it possible to make high-quality drinks from grapes. The variety is quite resistant to fungi and is able to withstand frosts down to -23 ° C, but so that the vine does not lose its properties, it is better to cover it for the winter.

The best grape varieties for the Moscow region

"Crystal"

Crystal variety

The white wine variety "Kristall", grown in Hungary, has taken root well in the south of Russia. The variety is quite problem-free - it is almost not susceptible to diseases, tolerates frost well and is unpretentious to the soil. But it needs an abundance of sun, so the bush requires frequent thinning. Berries accumulate up to 18% of sugars, and the minimum amount of pulp makes the fruits quite juicy. From "Kristall" aromatic light sherry is obtained.

Albiglio

Albiglio variety

In Crimea, Albillo variety is grown (along with others), which is used both as an independent raw material for making wine, and as an additional component that improves the taste of port wines.

"Citron Magaracha"

Citron variety Magaracha

Wine "Muscatel White" is obtained from the "Citronny Magaracha" variety, in which the sugar content in berries reaches 27%.

"Platovsky"

Variety Platovsky

Delicate table and dessert wines with the aroma of Muscat are obtained from the Platovsky variety. Despite their small size, the whitish-golden berries are quite juicy and saturated with sugars. This variety is characterized by high yield, frost resistance (withstands up to -29 ° C) and relative disease resistance.

"Odessa Muscat"

Muscat variety Odessa

Small amber-golden berries have a thin but firm skin.The variety "Muscat Odessa", despite the name, is grown not only in the southern regions, as it tolerates severe frosts well. Fruit juiciness and light Muscat aroma are ideal for the production of table and dessert white wines.

"Verdello"

Verdello variety

The "Verdello" grape variety came to the southern regions of the country from Portugal, from the island of Madeira. Golden berries are grown not only for the production of Madeira wines - the juice of this variety is included in the blend in the manufacture of fortified drinks and sherry.

Grape varieties for Central Russia

"Goruli Mtsvane"

Goruli Mtsvane variety

"Goruli Mtsvane" is an aboriginal variety of Georgia - in Kakheti, the famous wine "Tsinandali" is made from it. But this variety is also used for the preparation of other table, dessert and sparkling wines, as well as cognac drinks.

The main grape varieties for wine production: video

When growing grapes of technical varieties, one should take into account that the correct fastening of the vines on vertical trellises will allow the berries to be saturated with the sun, from which the future wine will turn out to be truly exquisite.

Foreword

Many people believe that all grape varieties for wine production grow exclusively in the south, however, even in Altai today, many owners grow strong healthy vines with large clusters of juicy berries.

What is the difference between wine grapes and table grapes?

Harvests from most fruit crops are intended for direct consumption, whether raw or after heat treatment. But there are also individual plants that are bred for industrial processing, that is, in fact, raw materials. For winemaking, for example, special technical grape varieties are used. Let's see what is their difference from canteens, especially since both of them can be eaten.

On the table, we are used to seeing large brushes with large juicy berries. As for the latter, preference is given to the most fleshy, thin-skinned, preferably pitted. On the palate, the berry can be both tart and sour, but always sweet, since fruits are usually served for dessert. The sugar content in these grapes is usually in the range of 13-17%. The table variety is the more appreciated, the more fruits on the clusters, the larger the berries themselves. It is logical that grapes require a lot of sun for full ripening and accumulation of juice.

Quite different requirements for technical varieties, which, by the way, can also be eaten. Their main and main difference is the size of berries and brushes, which are much smaller than those of table varieties. When breeding such grapes, special attention is paid to juiciness and taste, as well as the amount of sugar, which should be in the range of 18-20% or more. The berries should contain a lot of coloring, as well as extractives, which affect the color saturation of the wine, as well as the bouquet of taste and smells. It is these substances that make some varieties unsuitable for human consumption, since they give the berries an unpleasant aftertaste.

Grape varieties for private wine making

In fact, wine can be made from any fruit and berry, as long as the sugar content is high enough. However, the taste of wine largely depends on the mineral and vitamin composition of the fruit pulp. Taking grapes as an example, it becomes clear that some varieties can give home wine only an exceptional sweetness, there may be some astringency, but not a rich bouquet of flavors. That is why many owners try to grow not only dining rooms, but also grape varieties for winemaking.

It should be remembered that commercial crops require the same amount of space as conventional fruit crops, but their yield can be quite low. When growing table varieties, it is productivity that is most appreciated, that is, the number of bunches from each bush, while wine varieties should have a high sugar content of berries, and not the yield of the vine.... In areas close to the north, where the sum of active temperatures rarely exceeds 2000–2200 (in particular, in the conditions of the Moscow region), only early ripening frost-resistant varieties ripen.

But even with grapes bred specifically for the north, the berries would not have gained sugar with a large number of clusters on one bush. With low solar activity, the metabolism in the vine is somewhat slowed down, due to which the distribution of trace elements in the hands may be insufficient. Realizing this, experienced gardeners carry out pruning twice a season, which is called normalization. The first is carried out when the berries reach the size of a pea, at which time up to 50% of the brushes should be removed. The second pruning is performed at the end of July, leaving only 1-2 brushes on each shoot, depending on the size of the vine. If this is not done, the quality of the grapes will be poor.

The best early wine grape varieties for the Moscow region

In regions where the frost-free period lasts from 130 to 150 days, the vine should yield no later than 110-115 days from the moment the eyes open.... Few varieties have such early maturity, and most of them are among those that grow in the south, but they cannot be grown in the north, they will not take root. For many years now, work has been going on to ensure that vineyards appear in the Moscow region and in cold latitudes, from the harvests of which the best wines could be made.

Today, white grape varieties are considered the most adapted to the conditions of the north, such as Elegy, Golden Muscat, Hungarian Crystal and Prim, Odessa Muscat, Pineapple, Magaracha's Gift. But red wine is healthier, and therefore dark frost-resistant cultures appeared: Yubileiny, Livadia black, Fortuna, Germanic Rondo, Rubin Golodrigi and December. The latter variety is universal and can be used directly for food, as well as for obtaining fresh juices, due to the fact that it has large fleshy berries.

Each of the listed grapes is able to withstand fairly low temperatures and even short-term severe frosts. In particular, the Gift of Magarach perfectly tolerates the cold when the thermometer shows -33, even if the cold lingers. But Elegy and Yubileiny, with prolonged frosts, can lose significant amounts of buds, of which no more than 10% sometimes remain frozen. Most other frost-resistant varieties, without careful covering, lose all buds if the low temperatures are delayed for a couple of weeks.

In the conditions of the Moscow region, among others, uncovered grape varieties are grown, that is, those that tolerate even significant cold snaps quite easily, and, remarkably, are practically not susceptible to diseases. These include Sukribe, Saperavi North, as well as the Amur breakthrough. The latter, along with such varieties as Triumph, Malinovsky and Amethystovy, belongs to the Amur hybrids, bred by domestic breeders for the conditions of the north. These crops are able to withstand frosts down to -32 (Marinovsky) and up to -40 (Triumph).

How to grow grapes for wine?

If you have such a spacious plot that, in addition to an orchard and vegetable garden, there is a place for a vineyard, try to leave the southern side of the plot free. It is there that the vine will receive the most solar heat for active metabolism. As a last resort, you can set aside a strip of land under the southern wall of a residential or outbuilding. In no case do we plant bushes from west to east, then only one side of the vine will be constantly in the shade. The rows of the vineyard should stretch strictly from south to north.

Under the seedlings, we dig a 60x60x60 hole or a trench with the same depth and width, depending on whether you have one or several bush.At the bottom we place a small layer of brick battle (about 20 centimeters). When filling the hole, be sure to add manure and compost to the soil, you can have a little peat, and be sure to sand and fine gravel in small quantities. At the corners of the pit or along the trench on both sides with a step of 60 centimeters, we bury half-meter plastic pipes so that 5 centimeters rise above the ground. Through them we will water and feed the vines.

It is preferable to plant grapes with a closed root system in early spring after frosts, if with an open one, then planting can be carried out from spring to autumn.

In order for the vineyard to be fully provided with sunlight, it is not recommended to plant densely bushes. The minimum distance between plants is 2 meters, as for the space between the rows, its width should be at least 3 meters. 30 centimeters west of each row we dig in trellises, from which the growing vine should be easily removed for shelter for the winter. In order for the vineyard to endure the cold with minimal losses, metal arcs are installed over the shoots laid along the rows, onto which a vapor-permeable covering material is stretched.

It is necessary to insulate grapes in the Moscow region gradually, until nothing portends frost, it is better to leave the ends of the greenhouse open. After closing the shelter, you can throw more snow on top. At the end of March, when the snow melts and the ground begins to warm up, we gradually begin to open the bushes. In the afternoon, when the weather is sunny, we remove the covering material, but even before sunset we pull it on again so that at night the plants are protected from possible spring frosts. We return the shoots to the trellises when it becomes completely warm, and no cold snaps are expected.

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