What are autochthonous grape varieties and which ones are the most popular?

Grapes are grown not only for food or sale, but also for making wines, juices, compotes, and champagne. Many people dream of owning a home winery. To get a rich grape harvest, it is not enough to pay attention to the ripening period and care requirements - experienced winegrowers advise studying autochthonous varieties. We'll tell you what this means and which autochthonous Russian varieties are the most productive.

Autochthonous grape varieties - what does it mean?

There are varieties that are grown only in certain areas. Such grapes are called autochthonous. It appeared naturally in a specific area, which is why it is sometimes called local or aboriginal.

Most varieties are technical or universal - wines are made from them. Based on the taste of the drink, professionals determine the growing region, ripening period and climatic conditions.

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Italy, Russia, Georgia, Spain - each of these countries is famous for its autochthonous grape varieties. Next, let's look at the most popular ones.

Cortese

Italian white grape variety. Early ripening, demanding heat, therefore grown mainly in the south-eastern part of the Piedmont region.

Hilly and windless areas are constructed for planting. The bushes are tall, the vines ripen quickly. The size of the bunch is larger than average, the structure is dense. The leaves are medium-sized, dark green with light veins. The shape of the berries is elliptical. The skin is light golden, with a slight waxy coating.Grapes are slightly affected by diseases and insect pests.

Wine from Cortese is tart, acidic, with a noble aroma. The drink is consumed within three years after harvest, after which the wine loses its original taste.

Verdejo

Verdejo grapes are grown in Spain and used to make white wines. In terms of ripening, it is late ripening. The harvest is harvested in September, at night, so that the rays of the sun do not burn the delicate berries. The vines are strong growing, powerful, the leaves are medium-sized, without pubescence. The berries are small, white-golden, the flesh is dense and juicy.

The taste is interesting, with a hint of nutmeg, fennel and fruit, light. Verdejo has a strong grape aroma, which is transmitted to drinks. Productivity depends on growing conditions, so winegrowers follow all care recommendations: apply balanced fertilizing, organize drip irrigation and hold an annual pruning.

Albariño

The Spanish Albariño grape does not have high yields, but is nevertheless popular due to its delicate berry taste. Bushes of medium vigor adapt well to the climatic conditions of the region; the berries rarely rot or spoil. Their shape is rounded and elongated, the flesh is fleshy, amber in color, the taste is berry-fruity with a citrus flavor, the skin is durable. The clusters are located close to each other. Sugar content and acidity are high.

Albariño produces delicious wines with notes of lime, orange blossom, jasmine, peach, and passion fruit.

Interesting! The world leader in the number of autochthonous varieties is Italy. In this country there are about 400 of them. In Russia, experts identify about 100. Most of them are located in the Crimean lands, in Kuban and Stavropol Territory.

Krasnostop Zolotovsky

The mid-season technical variety is grown in the Rostov region and Krasnodar region. Ripening period is 125-135 days. The bushes are medium-sized, the shoots ripen together. The leaves are round, small, slightly wrinkled. The clusters are conical, medium density, loose. The berries are dark blue with a waxy coating, sometimes acquiring a purple tint. The skin is of medium thickness, the flesh is dense and juicy.

Krasnostop Zolotovsky is unpretentious in cultivation, frost-resistant, and is rarely affected by insects and fungal diseases. The grapes are harvested in September; the berries do not crack after ripening, but you should not delay the harvest. Red table wines are made from grapes.

Saperavi

The productive and unpretentious Saperavi grape variety is grown in Georgia. Branched and spreading bushes require a lot of light and warmth. The leaves are round-ovate, rich green. The flowers are bisexual, which has a positive effect on productivity. The average weight of a bunch is 150 g, the color is dark blue with a thick waxy coating. The pulp is juicy and tasty, aromatic. Each berry contains 1-2 seeds. The ripening period of Saperavi is late, about 160 days. Frost resistance - down to -20°C, drought resistance is good. Immunity to fungal and bacterial diseases is average.

Interesting! Ripe Saperavi grapes are consumed fresh or used to make red table wine. The drink has a rich bouquet of taste and dark color. The taste of the wine develops within four years from the date of production. Wine can be stored for up to 50 years.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is grown in Italy. It is valued for its aroma and taste characteristics. The taste of the grapes is reminiscent of an assortment of cherries, plums, roses and violets.Ripening period is late. The buds form in early April, and the fruits are harvested at the end of October, in foggy and cool weather. Plants are spreading, of medium vigor. The leaves are rich green, dissected. The berries are small, round, blue-violet, matte.

The variety is resistant to rot and mildew, but is often affected by phylloxera. Nebbiolo wines are characterized by high acidity.

Rkatsiteli

The Georgian grape variety Rkatsiteli is distinguished by tall pyramidal bushes, straight brown shoots, and slightly dissected leaves. The clusters are long, oval in shape. The berries are golden in color with brown spots from the sun. The fruits are small or medium, weighing 2-4 g. The weight of the bunch is about 170 g. The ripening period is late, the growing season lasts 150-160 days. The variety is frost-resistant, but drought resistance is weak.

Among the disadvantages of Rkatsiteli, there is a strong susceptibility to gray rot and oidium. Also frequent guests on plants are spider mites and grape budworms. The taste of the berries is pleasant, moderately sweet. Grape juice, table wines, and wine materials are prepared from Rkatsiteli.

Siberian

The technical variety is grown in Russia. The leaves are large, wrinkled or slightly smooth. The clusters are winged, cylindrical, reach 20 cm in length, weigh about 150 g. The berry weighs about 2 g, has a greenish-white color, and an oval shape. Sibirkovsky ripens on average in 130 days.

Varietal light wines are prepared from it, characterized by medium acidity and a light greenish tint. Sibirkovsky rarely gets sick and has strong immunity to diseases and pests. It is unpretentious to growing conditions, the yield is stable.

The best early-ripening, mid-ripening, late-ripening grape varieties

• From early ripening varieties are noted Primitivo - red grapes with a rich taste and aroma. It is grown in southern Italy and is used to make red wine, which has the aroma of fruit and spices. Medium vigor plant with dark green leaves. The variety is early ripening, the harvest is harvested in early August. The clusters are large and dense, the berries are small, black and blue. Primitively unpretentious to soil and climate, it is affected by diseases to a moderate extent. It is used to make red fruit wines.
• Of the mid-season autochthonous varieties, St. Laurent is distinguished. Grows in Austria. The leaves are medium sized, wavy. The clusters are cylindrical, winged. The berries are compact, deep blue-black in color. The pulp is juicy and dense, pleasant to the taste, suitable for fresh consumption. St. Laurent is picky about soil composition and sensitive to frost. Red wines with notes of sweet and sour cherries are made from it.
• Popular grape variety Sangiovese characterized by late ripening and uniform fruiting. Drinks from this variety are obtained with notes of chocolate, prunes and vanilla. Sangiovese grows in Italy, characterized by tall bushes and dark purple fruits. The berries are small, round, the skin is dense with a bluish coating. High acid taste. The flowers are bisexual, the vines are dark brown.

White, dark, pink

• White variety Ag Raisin appeared in Dagestan. Prefers fertile soils, sunny areas. The leaves are small, rounded with sharp edges. The clusters are medium-sized, conical, loose. The berries are oval-round, with a thin green-yellow skin. The ripening period of the variety is average - from 120 to 135 days. Frost resistance and drought resistance are average.Ag Raisin is used for making raisins, juices and compotes. The advantages include high transportability.
  

  Zirfandler
• Shoulder - an old Don wine variety of dark grapes. The bushes are medium-sized with rounded-elongated leaves. Cylindrical clusters weigh about 200 g. The fruits are dark blue with a thick waxy coating. The peel is thin but durable. The pulp is medium density, the juice is colorless. Pleschistik has a balanced, sweet and sour taste. It is grown for the production of dry and dessert sparkling wine.
• Pink grape variety Zierfandler cultivated in Austria. The leaves are large, slightly fleecy, and have 3-5 lobes. The clusters are medium in size, the fruits are very dense, pressed against each other. Their shape is round, the color is light pink with a reddish tint. Zirfandler does not tolerate frost well, so it is grown in well-warmed sunny areas. The ripening of the shoots is good, the flowers are bisexual. Productivity varies from medium to high, depending on compliance with care rules. The taste is pleasant, with a slight sourness, the aroma is rich. The purpose of the variety is technical.

Best for different growing regions

• Varyushkin grapes are recommended for cultivation in the Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Region. It grows successfully on clay soils, the ripening period is 140-150 days. Red dessert wines are prepared from Varyushkin. The berries are small, purple-red. The taste is delicate with a slight sourness.
• The Kisi variety is also grown in warm regions. The clusters are conical with oval green berries. The skin is thin with a thick waxy coating. Ripening time is about 140 days. Productivity is stable. Kisi is used for making table wines and juices.
• An autochthonous variety is suitable for the North Caucasus Tersky scarlet. It is grown in Chechnya and Dagestan on loamy nutrient lands. The leaves are large, matte, with dense pubescence. The flowers are bisexual, the clusters are wide with small berries. The shape of the fruit is round, the color is dark blue. The pulp of Tersky scarlet is juicy. Ripening period is 140-150 days. The variety is winter-hardy, transportable, and has attractive commercial qualities.
  

  Scarlet Tersky
• Ivanovsky grapes are grown in the Volgograd region. The variety prefers clay or sandy soils and is drought-resistant. The clusters are conical, medium or large. The berries are elongated, dark blue, ripen in 135-140 days. Dry red wines are prepared from Ivanovskoe; the fruits are also suitable for fresh consumption. The taste is harmonious, berry.

Attention! In cold Russian regions (Ural, Siberia), autochthonous varieties are not grown. They do not take root well and are sensitive to sudden climate changes that are typical for these lands.

How to choose an autochthonous grape variety

When choosing, it is recommended to pay attention to which regions a particular variety is intended for. The geographical criterion is the most important one when it comes to the autochthony of grapes. Afterwards they start from external and taste characteristics, ripening time, resistance to frost, drought, diseases and pests.

The main purpose of autochthonous grapes is the processing and preparation of wine. For dry red wine, dark and pink varieties with a rich fruit and berry taste and aroma are grown; for white and sparkling wines - white grapes with high acidity.

Conclusion

Cortese, Saperavi, Nebbiolo are the names of popular international autochthonous varieties.They are called autochthonous because they produce crops only in a certain region.

In Russia, the popular varieties are Krasnostop, Ivanovsky, and Terpsky Scarlet. They are grown in the Krasnodar region, the Caucasus, and the Rostov region. Planting and caring for autochthonous grapes differs from growing conventional table varieties. It is important to consider the region and location, harvest time, soil and temperature requirements.