A very popular and tasty grape variety "Riesling"

The Riesling grape variety has gained recognition throughout the world. In Germany, this crop is called the queen of white grapes. Wine made from Riesling grapes is light, harmonious and refined. The bouquet contains floral, herbaceous and fruity notes. After three years of aging, petroleum notes appear in the drink - a characteristic feature that distinguishes Riesling from other wines made from white grapes. The article will tell you about the features of the variety, planting technology and growing Riesling grapes.

Description and characteristics of the Riesling grape variety

Riesling (German: Riesling) is a technical variety of white grapes originally from Germany. Other names: White Riesling, Rhine Riesling, Johannisberger, Johannisberg Riesling. It is important not to confuse the original variety with clones: Gray Riesling (California), Emerald Riesling (California), Missouri Riesling (Missouri), Italian Riesling (Italy).

The grapes reflect the characteristics of the terroir, retain their varietal individuality, and the wine made from them can “live” in the cellar for a long time. Thanks to these characteristics, Riesling has gained fame as the greatest variety for the production of white wine.

Origin story

Classification of varieties in German winemaking is a complex topic. About 60 Riesling clones are allowed to be cultivated in the country. The reputation of Riesling is spoiled by the varieties parasitic on its name, which produce, although not bad, often vague wines that are in no way related to the original grapes.

The exact time of the appearance of the variety on German soil has not yet been established. Winegrowers rely on the centuries-old tradition of growing the variety - the first written mention dates back to 1430. The culture is cultivated in a way that is not done in any other wine-producing country.

Interesting. The results of DNA research showed that Riesling appeared as a result of cross-pollination of the Gouais blanc variety and the Traminera hybrid with wild grapes.

In Germany, two thirds of all vineyard area is occupied by Riesling. The variety has been grown for the longest time by winegrowers in the Rheingau and on the Moselle River. Here the variety occupies more than three-quarters of the territory. Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe Württemberg, Palatinate, Rheinhessen and Baden are also considered the country's most important wine regions.

Riesling ripens slowly and bears fruit until November. The German climate is best suited for its cultivation. Here it can catch the last warm rays of the sun and receive the optimal amount of moisture. The vineyards are located on steep rocky tiers along rivers, thereby ensuring maximum heating from the sun.

Description of grape vines, clusters and fruits

Riesling belongs to the ecological-geographical group of Western European varieties based on morphological characteristics and biological characteristics. The culture is widespread in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Argentina.

The bushes are characterized by great vigor of growth, the vine ripens completely. Young shoots are sparsely covered with light green felt-type pubescence with pink denticles. A mature annual shoot acquires a light brown tint, darker at the nodes.

The leaves are medium-sized, round in shape, medium- and deeply dissected, three- and five-lobed, coarsely wrinkled, folded-funnel-shaped. The upper cutouts are closed, of medium depth, with an oval opening. Open, lyre-shaped leaves are also found. In autumn the leaves turn yellow.

The petiole notch is closed or open, lyre-shaped, with a narrow elliptical lumen. The teeth are triangular. The marginal denticles are dome-shaped. The leaf blade is covered with a cobwebby edge on the back side, and there are small bristles on the veins.

The flowers are bisexual, but this does not save the variety from peas. The bunch is medium-sized, dense and loose, 8-14 cm long, 6-8 cm wide. The shape is often cylindrical, less often cylindrical-conical. The stem of the bunch is short - only 3 cm. Average weight - 80-100 g.

The berries are medium in size - 11-15 mm, round, green-white with a yellow tint. The skin is thin but durable, covered with dark brown dots. The pulp is juicy, contains 2-4 seeds. The taste is pleasant and balanced. Average weight - 1.2-1.4 g.

Sugar content of berries is 18-21%, acidity is 8.5-10.5 g/l. The yield of grape juice is 80%. The calorie content of berries is 43 kcal per 100 g.

Productivity

Productivity is low, depending on the climate and location of cultivation. The average is 70-90 c/ha. The fruitfulness of the shoots is 87%. On average, there are 1.6 clusters per developed shoot, and 2 clusters per fruitful shoot.

Frost resistance and drought resistance

The variety is characterized by resistance to frosts down to -20°C, and withstands returning spring frosts. Riesling does not tolerate drought well, so it needs constant support for optimal moisture levels.

For which regions is it suitable?

The variety is suitable for cultivation in central Russia and the south, subject to regular watering.

Variety resistance to diseases and pests

Riesling is not resistant to oidium, bacterial cancer, and is susceptible to gray rot. Resistance to phylloxera and cluster budworm is low.

Flowering and ripening period

The culture enters the flowering period at the end of April. From the moment the buds open to removable ripeness, 146-160 days pass at a sum of active temperatures of 2896°C. The berries ripen in the third ten days of September.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the variety:

• high level of productivity;
• fruitfulness 90%;
• resistance to cold;
• pleasant taste;
• low calorie content.

Flaws:

• susceptibility to oidium, bacterial canker and gray berry rot, phylloxera and bunch leaf;
• shedding of ovaries and flowers;
• peas.

Similar varieties

The following varieties have characteristics similar to Riesling: Khushia shavi, Furmint, Arnsburger, Bakator white, Sukholimansky white.

Wine from Riesling grapes

A typical Riesling wine is characterized by a pale yellow, closer to green, color and an apple-floral aroma. The taste has a pronounced sourness. The increased level of acidity does not prevent the wine from maintaining a balance of taste, due to the residual sugar content. Grapes grown on slate soil develop a mineral note.

Aromatic portrait of wine:

• floral notes (white flowers, rose);
• herbaceous (freshly cut grass);
• fruit (peach, green apple, pear, grapefruit, apricot, tropical fruits);
• mineral: flint, rubber, metal, oil, kerosene, rubber.

Petroleum notes appear in aged wine. Connoisseurs of Riesling drinks highly value this specific aroma, but it can cause confusion among unprepared consumers.In a harmonious bouquet, the petroleum aroma is surrounded by other shades and arouses interest. In German, petroleum notes are referred to as Firn, which translates as old snow.

Reference. Norisoprenoid 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN) is responsible for the extravagant aroma in the drink. This substance is absent in berries and appears in wine after three years, weakening as it ages.

The development of the “oil tone” is promoted by:

• high level of berry ripeness;
• prolonged sun exposure;
• moisture deficiency;
• warm soil (rocky);
• close location of sources.

Riesling is susceptible to the appearance of so-called “noble rot”. The fungus Botrytis cinerea develops on the bunches, creating an incredible effect. In berries affected by rot, the amount of moisture decreases, but the content of sugar and aromatic substances increases. In the process of life, the mold enriches the grapes with substances that can significantly diversify the taste of the wine and develop an exotic bouquet. The most expensive dessert wines are obtained from this harvest.

Dry and semi-dry Riesling wines go perfectly with sea and river fish, poultry and pork in creamy sauce. Dessert drinks are served with cream cakes, fruits, and mousse desserts.

Planting seedlings

Riesling is planted in spring or fall. The air temperature should not be lower than -10°C and not higher than +15°C. The culture prefers calcareous soil, moderately fertilized with organic matter. When grown on such soil, berries accumulate micro- and macroelements to the maximum.

Holes 60 cm wide and 70 cm deep are dug in the area. For landing use green cuttings and seedlings with a developed root system.Planting material must be free of damage and signs of infection with infectious diseases, have 3-4 roots and 4-5 buds. Before planting, the roots are trimmed and dipped in a solution of succinic acid or “Heteroauxin”. The row spacing is 2.5-3 m, the distance between seedlings is 1.2 m.

5 cm of crushed stone or broken brick is poured into the prepared hole, with 15 cm of earth on top, forming a mound. A seedling is placed on top and the rhizome is straightened. Next, add soil to the middle of the hole, compact it slightly and water it with warm, settled water. After the water is absorbed, the hole is completely covered with soil.

Subtleties of further care

Riesling adapts to different types of soil, but grows best in calcareous soils. The bushes are formed into 4 sleeves (sleeve length 40-60 cm) when grown as a cover crop. When cultivated in regions that do not require shelters for the winter, use forming on a high standard. The height of the trunk is 1.2 m.

The agricultural technology of the crop comes down to regular watering, application of mineral fertilizers, weeding and pruning.

The bushes are watered abundantly at the root 14 days before flowering, but subject to dry weather. If the humidity is high, there is no need to water. During the period of active growth and development of shoots, the grapes are watered once a week. In arid regions, the vineyard is watered three times per season: 14 days before flowering, during the formation of berries and 14 days before frost. When watering, it is important not to get it on the leaves. This increases the risk of developing fungal infections.

Fertilizers are applied once when planting seedlings. This is enough for 3-4 years of crop growing season. The soil in the tree trunk circle is loosened and generously sprinkled with wood ash.When watering and during rainy periods, nutrients will penetrate the soil and nourish the plant. After 3-4 years, a second portion of ash is added.

Weeds are removed as they grow and at the same time the soil is loosened, ensuring a flow of oxygen to the roots.

Trimming

Bushes are trimmed to speed up branching and thinning. Without this, the yield decreases, the berries become small and sour. The procedure is repeated every 3-5 years until the bush takes its optimal shape.

The first pruning is performed in the spring, a year after planting. The bushes are carefully inspected and weak and damaged branches are removed. 2-4 buds are removed from healthy branches and a shape is created that is convenient for care.

After 5-6 years, the pruning technique is changed: in the fall, only annual and weak shoots are removed, and in the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out. Dry and frozen branches are removed; if only the top is damaged, it is cut off to the first healthy bud. The cut site of a thick branch is treated with varnish to reduce the risk of fungal infection and prevent loss of sap.

Wintering

When cultivating Riesling using the uncovered method, a trunk 1.2 m high is formed. In young grapes, it appears a year after planting. The method is based on the regulation of branches and buds and the formation of a vertical trunk without bending. When bends appear, the trunk is tied to a support, ensuring growth in the vertical direction.

For covering grapes, a fan method is used, which involves molding 3-4 sleeves. 2-3 fruit links are formed on a vertical trellis to evenly distribute the load. It is not recommended to grow more than 30 shoots on one bush. The vineyard is covered with tarpaulin, spruce branches or agrofibre.

Possible problems and pest control

Riesling is susceptible to phylloxera infection, which is extremely difficult to control. The best way to prevent the spread of the pest is to vaccinate bushes with varieties Berlandieri and Riparia Kober 5BB, Riparia and Rupestris 101-14 or Rupestris 3309. In case of infection, insecticides (Zolon, Fury, Enzhio 247) and biological preparations "Actofit" are used, "Lepidocide", Boreas Neo).

To destroy cluster moth caterpillars, insecticides “Talstar”, “Fury”, biological preparations “Lepidotsid”, “Fitoverm”, “Bitoxibacillin” are used.

Gray rot and oidium develop in case of high humidity and thickening of the bushes. Preventive spraying of vineyards reduces the risk of infection. Fungicides that are effective against fungi are: Topaz, Horus, Thanos, Ridomil, colloidal sulfur and Bordeaux mixture.

Bacterial canker appears as white or brown growths on the trunk, located closer to the soil. The growth reaches 15 cm and becomes visible in the middle of the growing season. Unfortunately, there are no effective drugs against grape cancer. The main methods of control come down to the selection of high-quality planting material, removal of infected bushes, and disinfection of garden tools.

Harvest and storage

Riesling is a technical grape variety and is therefore not suitable for long-term storage. The bunches collected with sharp pruning shears are sent for processing into wine.

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Conclusion

The Riesling grape variety occupies two-thirds of the vineyard area in Germany and is valued in many countries around the world.Table, semi-sweet and dessert wines with a pleasant apple-floral aroma are prepared from it. The color of the drink is pale yellow, close to green. Due to their high sugar content, wines are subject to long-term aging, and not only retain, but also improve taste and aroma characteristics over time.

Riesling is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate drought. The variety's agricultural technology is based on regular watering, fertilizing the soil with wood ash every 3-4 years, pruning and shaping the bushes and covering for the winter when cultivated in the covered viticulture zone.