What grape varieties are suitable for Crimea

The Crimean history of viticulture dates back thousands of years. Local winegrowers have extensive experience in cultivating this crop. The climatic conditions of the peninsula are more than favorable: plenty of sun, a long period of warmth, an average daily temperature above +10°C for 180 days in the north and 210 days in the south, fertile soil. All this creates suitable conditions for the cultivation of wine and table grape varieties in Crimea.

How many grape varieties grow in Crimea

Viticulture in Crimea has existed for more than 2 thousand years and is considered the leading branch of agriculture. The total area of ​​vineyards is more than 18 thousand hectares. About 90 varieties of grapes are grown in Crimea. The most famous are Rkatsiteli, Aligote, green Sauvignon, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot group, Kokur white, Bastardo Magarachsky, Muscat, Merlot, Feteasca, Chardonnay, Saperavi, Pink Traminer, Sukholimansky white.

The territory of the peninsula is divided into three viticultural zones according to climatic conditions: foothills, south coast and steppe. The maximum area is occupied by vineyards in the Bakhchisarai, Simferopol regions and in the territories belonging to the cities of Alushta, Sudak and Yalta.

South Coast zone best suited for growing table varieties Asma, Moldova, Red Globe, Amber Muscat, and technical Rkatsiteli, Aligote, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Green Sauvignon, Saperavi, White and pink Muscat, Aleatico, etc.

In the foothill zone The table varieties Italy, Kodryanka, Cardinal, Early Magaracha, and technical Rkatsiteli, Pinot Franc, Aligote, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Shabash are cultivated.

In the steppe zone popular table grapes are Early Magaracha, Arcadia, Moldova, Agadai, Odessa Souvenir, and technical varieties Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Saperavi.

Reference. The percentage ratio of table and technical varieties is 17 to 83.

The best table grape varieties for Crimea

Table grape varieties are cultivated in all natural zones of the Crimean Peninsula, except for the mountain plateaus. The following varieties are popular: Cardinal, Moldova, Italy, Agadai, Arcadia, Codryanka, Laura.

Cardinal

Cardinal is an early ripening variety bred by American breeder E. Snyder.

Description:

• average vigor of bushes;
• 52% fruitful shoots;
• cylindrical-conical, large clusters, loose structure;
• bunch weight - 340-520 g;
• berries are round-oval or oval, less often with a beveled top and a shallow groove;
• the skin is thin, violet-red in color, with a moderate waxy coating;
• sugar content - 16-17%;
• yield - 70-120 c/ha;
• harvest - August 18-25;
• frost resistance is average;
• The variety is susceptible to bacterial canker, oidium and mildew.

Moldova

Moldova is a late-ripening variety bred by breeders of the Moldavian company Vierul. Another name is Guzal Kara.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 80-90% fruitful shoots;
• cylindrical-conical clusters, moderately dense;
• bunch weight 380-400 g;
• large oval berries;
• thick, dense, dark purple skin with a thick waxy coating;
• crispy pulp;
• balanced taste;
• sugar content - 17.7-18%;
• yield - 147-167 c/ha;
• resistance to mildew, oidium, gray mold and phylloxera;
• frost resistance is average;
• Harvest - September 15-25.

Italy

Italy (Muscat Italia, Goldoni, Muscat Italian, Pirovano 65) is a late-ripening variety bred by the Italian Alberto Pirovano in 1911.

Characteristics:

• vigorous bushes;
• 35% fruitful shoots;
• large clusters, cylindrical-conical shape, loose structure;
• bunch weight 600-1000 g;
• large, oval and ovoid berries;
• thick, yellowish-amber skin with a thick waxy coating;
• juicy pulp;
• balanced taste;
• nutmeg-citrus aroma;
• sugar content - 16-18%;
• yield - 75-80 c/ha;
• average resistance to frost, mildew, gray rot and oidium;
• harvest - September 17-25.

Agadai

Agadai is a Dagestan mid-late grape variety.

Characteristics:

• vigorous bushes;
• 60-70% fruitful shoots;
• large, cylindrical, loose brushes;
• large, oval berries;
• dense, light, green-yellow skin with a yellow-pink tint and thick purine;
• dense, crispy flesh;
• tart, simple taste;
• sugar content - 16-19%;
• yield - 80-90 c/ha;
• average resistance to mildew, oidium, frost;
• harvest - September 18 - October 5.

Arcadia

Arcadia - a grape variety bred at the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after V. E. Tairov.

Characteristics:

• tall bushes;
• 55-75% fruitful shoots;
• conical clusters of medium density;
• bunch weight 0.5-2 kg;
• round, slightly elongated berries;
• thin but durable skin, light yellow and amber, with a waxy coating;
• dense, juicy pulp;
• balanced taste, nutmeg aroma;
• sugar content 16%;
• yield 80-90 c/ha;
• average resistance to mildew and frost, high to oidium;
• Harvest - September 15-25.

Codrianca

Codrianca - an early ripening variety, bred in 1985 by crossing the Marshallsky and Moldova varieties. The selection was carried out by engineers at the Moldavian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking.

Characteristics:

• ripening period - 116-120 days;
• vigorous bushes;
• 70-80% fruitful shoots;
• large, loose, conical or cylindrical-conical clusters;
• brush weight - 0.4-1 kg;
• large, oval-oblong berries with a pointed tip;
• thin, dark purple skin with a waxy coating;
• juicy and dense pulp;
• sugar content - 15−17%;
• yield - 120−130 c/ha;
• resistance to phylloxera, mildew and oidium, average winter hardiness.

Laura

Laura - an early table variety bred at the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after V. E. Tairov.

Characteristics:

• ripening period 110-115 days;
• vigorous bushes;
• 60-80% fruitful shoots;
• large, medium-loose, conical brushes;
• bunch weight 800-1000 g;
• cylindrical or oval berries;
• thin, white-green skin with a waxy coating;
• crispy, dense flesh with a nutmeg aroma;
• sugar content - 20-22%;
• yield 90-110 c/ha;
• average frost resistance;
• Resistance to gray and white rot and mildew is high, and to oidium - low.

Wine grape varieties for Crimea

Among the technical grape varieties suitable for cultivation in Crimea are: Rkatsiteli, Aligote, Bastardo Magarachsky, Pinot Franc, Pinot Gris, Saperavi, Chardonnay. Red and white wines are made from them.

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli is a late-ripening Georgian grape variety.

Characteristics:

• vigorous bushes;
• 60-85% of fruitful shoots;
• dense cylindrical-conical clusters;
• brush weight 140-240 g;
• oval berries;
• thin, golden-yellow skin with brownish spots;
• juicy and dense pulp;
• sugar content - 18-21%;
• high resistance to mildew, gray rot of berries, low resistance to oidium;
• average winter hardiness;
• yield - 60-116 c/ha;
• harvest September 16-30.

Aligote

Aligote - French early ripening wine variety.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 75-85% of fruitful shoots;
• cylindrical-conical, dense clusters;
• brush weight 85-90 g;
• small, round berries;
• thin but strong, yellow-green skin with a pink tint and thick purine;
• sweet, simple taste;
• sugar content - 17-24%;
• yield 90-140 c/ha;
• the variety is susceptible to gray rot of berries, mildew, and resistant to oidium;
• average frost resistance;
• harvest - September 7-16.

Bastardo of Magarach

Bastardo Magarachsky is a late-ripening technical variety bred at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vital and Vital Plants "Magarach".

Characteristics:

• 80-85% of fruitful shoots;
• medium-sized bushes;
• cylindrical-conical clusters of medium density;
• brush weight - 14-150 g;
• medium, oval berries;
• thick, dark blue skin with thick purine;
• juicy, greenish pulp;
• simple, balanced taste;
• sugar content - 22-25%;
• yield - 107-183 c/ha;
• medium resistance to mildew and oidium, high resistance to drought;
• winter hardiness is average;
• harvest - September 16-20.

Pinot Franc

Pinot Franc is a mid-season, frost-resistant, technical variety originally from France.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 86% fruitful shoots;
• conical, medium loose clusters;
• dark blue, almost purple, round berries;
• transparent, colorless pulp;
• bunch weight - 100-110 g;
• sugar content - 17-20%;
• yield - 120-155 c/ha;
• average resistance to mildew and oidium;
• high resistance to drought and frost;
• harvest - August 22 - September 2.

Pinot gris

Pinot gris - mid-season technical variety.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 80% fruitful shoots;
• bunch weight - 75-80 g;
• small, dark blue berries;
• juicy, transparent pulp;
• pear, apple, lime, lemon, nectarine, honey, floral aroma;
• sugar content - 26-33%.
• yield - 30-42 c/ha.
• the variety is susceptible to mildew and oidium, gray rot, and is frost-resistant;
• harvest - October 1-10.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a mid-season French grape variety.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 64-76% of fruitful shoots;
• bunch weight 70-80 g;
• conical, medium-dense brushes;
• medium, round berries;
• thin, durable, light green skin;
• slimy, juicy pulp;
• simple taste;
• sugar content - 16-18%;
• yield - 30-40 c/ha;
• the variety is susceptible to mildew and oidium;
• average frost and drought resistance;
• harvest - September 15-20.

Saperavi

Saperavi is a Georgian late-ripening grape variety.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bushes;
• 50-70% fruitful shoots;
• bunch weight - 115-170 g;
• conical, loose clusters;
• small, oval berries;
• thick, dark blue skin with a purine coating;
• juicy pulp with pink juice;
• refreshing taste;
• sugar content - 21-23%;
• yield - 90-120 c/ha;
• weak resistance to mildew and oidium;
• low winter hardiness;
• high resistance to drought;
• harvest - September 20-25.

Features of growing grapes in Crimea

The climatic conditions of Crimea allow grow grapes as a non-covering crop. Winegrowers use systems for maintaining vines on a vertical trellis, a horizontal cordon, on a medium and high trunk, using the scheme landings 3x1.5 m. The preferred humidification system is drip. Agricultural enterprises in Crimea completely switched to it in 2012.Watering is carried out 2-3 times a season, taking into account weather conditions.

In the spring season they carry out pruning annual shoots at ground level. At the end of May, the survival rate of seedlings is checked and dry branches with immature buds are removed.

The list of mandatory care procedures includes the prevention of mildew, oidium, gray rot, and grape budworm. In young bushes, the surface roots are removed to increase the number of ripening vines.

Reference. Bushes are tied by attaching shoots to a support at an angle of 90° until the berries ripen.

Cuttings for propagation are prepared by cutting them into shoots 15 cm long. Next, the planting material is soaked in a solution of the growth stimulator “Kornevin” and completely dried. Future seedlings are stored in a cool room at a temperature no higher than +5°C.

Winegrowers pay special attention to fertilizing, adding nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Boron is added to form ovaries and maintain flowering. To prevent chlorosis - iron. To maintain the vitality of grapes, especially after a period of spring frosts, the bushes are fed with amino acids.

Conclusion

The Crimean peninsula is a fertile region for growing table and industrial grape varieties. Most of the vineyards are dedicated to wine varieties, because winemaking has been going on here for about 2 thousand years. The most famous table varieties are Cardinal, Moldova, Italy, Agadai, Arcadia, Codryanka, Laura. The most popular wine varieties: - Rkatsiteli, Aligote, Bastardo Magarachsky, Pinot Franc, Pinot Gris, Saperavi, Chardonnay.