Many high-yielding grape varieties are grown specifically for making wines. A distinctive feature of such varieties of culture is the rich blue color of the berries. The Carmenere grape variety also belongs to this group.
A bit of history
Initially, this grape began to be grown in France. Distributed in this country Carmener was once very widespread. Actually, wines were not made from it in France. However, berries of this variety were often used here for blending. Moreover, the percentage of Carmenere in such wines usually did not exceed 4%.
In 1867, in France and throughout Europe, this variety was completely destroyed by phylloopsa and was long considered lost. But in 1994, the French ampelograph Michel Bursico accidentally discovered this grape in Chile. Until that time, the farmers of this country did not even suspect that they were growing Carmener. They called the grapes they cultivated Chilean Merlot.
Later it was suggested that grow Carmenere grape variety in the XIX century. Chilean farmers became mistaken. Apparently, the workers who packed seedlings for shipment to America, once simply mixed up the name of the varieties. Carmener arrived in Chile as Merlot.
Currently, this variety is grown everywhere in this country and is used for the manufacture of mainly young wines with a slightly grassy flavor. In Europe, such grapes are hardly cultivated.
Carmenere grape variety: general description
Bushes of this variety are distinguished primarily by high growth power. The leaves of the variety have the usual shape, not pubescent. On the branches they grow quite densely. In the fall, Carmenere leaves turn bright red. From here, in fact, the name of the variety went (bright red in French).
The fruiting of the eyes, especially at the base of the shoot of this grape is not very high. Specialists recommend long pruning for this variety.
This grape tolerates cold very poorly, and therefore it can only be grown in warm regions. When the ambient temperature drops, Carmener can easily reset the ovaries. The maximum that this grape can withstand is a short-term decrease in temperature to 22 ° C.
To most fungal diseases, this variety is considered resistant. Most likely to be affected in epidemics, he can mostly powdery mildew and phylloopsa.
Of course, many owners of suburban areas are interested in deciding to grow a Carmenere grape variety when it is best to harvest such berries. This variety belongs to the group of mid-season. That is, Carmenere berries ripen about 4 months after the leaves bloom.
Carmenere grape variety: description of the taste of the fruit and its characteristics
Bunches of Carmenere grapes can have either a cylindrical or conical shape. The berries in this variety are medium in size. They have a round shape, and the color is dark blue. The pulp of the berries is tender and very juicy. It has a sweet, slightly grassy taste. Tannin in Carmenere berries contains a lot.
For the preparation of wine using only fully ripe brushes of this variety. From greenish berries, this alcoholic beverage is made unripe.
With proper care, the Carmenere grape variety is quite high in yield. Experienced growers can collect up to 20 kg of berries from one bush. Unfortunately, transportation of brushes of this variety is not well tolerated. Berries with clusters of Carmener during transportation are often showered.
The advantages of fruits of this variety include, among other things, the optimal indicators for making wine sugar content and acidity - 23/8.
Where to plant
The answer to the question of where the Carmenere grape variety grows, first of all, of course, is Chile. Also, this variety is often grown in the United States. In any case, a distinctive feature of Carmenere grapes, in addition to poor resistance to cold, is that it does not tolerate winds too well. This variety should therefore be planted on hillocks on the leeward side or behind the walls of buildings.
Soil Carmenere grapes love well-drained and nutritious. In wetlands, it grows very poorly. In Chile, this grape is often planted on rocky soils. It is believed that wines from berries grown in such areas of Carmenere are obtained better.
Landing
So, what the Carmenere grape variety looks like, how it looks, and what biological features it has, we found out. But how to plant such plants? To place Carmenere grapes on the site relies in places protected from the wind on good soil. Pits for seedlings of this variety are usually dug with a size of 80 x 80 cm. The grapes are buried when planting to the root neck. Previously, a drainage system using perforated pipes is mandatory to be equipped on the site.
Installed in the pit, the seedling is covered with earth and rammed. Next, the plants are well watered with warm water. Carmener can be planted both in early spring and in mid-autumn. At first, young plants are watered every 3-4 days.
Care Features
In the process of growing this grape, like any other, relies on watering and fertilizing. Experienced growers recommend freshly planted seedlings to be mulched with straw or sawdust.
It is supposed to water this grape once every 1-1.5 months. Water for moistening the soil under such vines is supposed to use exceptionally warm. Otherwise, the plants may become ill. Carmener is also fed with a frequency of 1-1.5 months. As fertilizers for this variety, it is allowed to use both mineral compositions and organic.
Weeding of this grape is carried out in the warm season as necessary. Performing this operation, at the same time, without fail, loosen the soil under the plants.
In the spring and a couple of times during the season Carmenere grapes are supposed to be processed with various kinds of chemical compounds for the prevention of diseases. It is recommended to use both antiparasitic and antifungal agents for this variety.
Pruning
Shrubs of this grape, as already mentioned, should be formed. Otherwise, the variety will significantly reduce yield. A long pruning of Carmener is carried out in most cases in the spring. In autumn, all dried up and damaged shoots are removed from the bushes.
Performing a long pruning, 50-60 eyes are left on each plant. At the same time, make sure that about 10-15 remain on one shoot. A bunch on each branch of this variety is usually left only one.
Wine from Carmenere
In care, this grape variety can be considered quite whimsical. In any case, beginners should not take up its cultivation. Recommended Carmener for landing mostly only experienced summer residents.
It is possible to grow this variety in a suburban area both for producing delicious berries and for making wine. In Chile, such a drink is considered almost a visiting card of the country. The features of the Carmenere wine are, among other things, a dark (from burgundy to black) color and a rich taste with a touch of currant.
The sale mainly goes to a young alcoholic drink made from Carmenere grape berries. But sometimes wine from such fruits can withstand and for several years - from 3 to 10.
Reviews
Opinion about this grape in summer residents was relatively good. However, most gardeners recommend choosing the place for it as carefully as possible. Vines of this variety must be protected as much as possible from the wind. Otherwise, as experienced growers note, getting large yields from Carmener will not work. In terms of care, summer residents attribute the absence of stepsons to the advantages of this variety. The beautiful color of the leaves in autumn is also considered a merit of Carmener.
Gardeners do not recommend planting this variety in areas with unstable climates. It is possible that the vines in such a region will grow and will be, but only weak crops can be harvested from them. Most gardeners praise the taste of this grape. According to many summer residents, it strongly resembles a rich nightshade. In this regard, Carmener, judging by the reviews, even surpasses the popular Cabernet Sauvignon.
Instead of a conclusion
So, we found out what Carmenere grapes are (grape description, reviews). In the photo on the page you can see how such bushes look on the site. This variety, of course, deserves attention, but at the same time it is very whimsical. The care technology when growing it in the country should be followed exactly.