Saperavi grape variety is widespread in Georgia. And no wonder, because in the homeland of this plant, not a single dinner can do without tart wine. The country's warm climate is ideal for growing crops.
This grape variety is considered one of the most expensive and desired. Various wines are made from it. And the berries themselves are very tasty to eat fresh. Translated from Georgian, the word "saperavi" means "giving color." The variety got this name thanks to the red pigments of the skin of grapes.
Grade description
The Saperavi grape variety is a vigorous plant that bears fruit until the age of 25. It tolerates cold to -20 ° C. The plant requires minimal maintenance. This species is most often grown in the Black Sea basin.
But the Saperavi northern grape variety feels great in cold regions. It tolerates frosty winters. Without shelter, the plant survives freezing to -30 ° C. This variety is a hybrid of Saperavi and Northern. For ripening, an average of 155 sunny days is needed.
The young shoot and the first leaves on it are very light, almost white. On them you can distinguish delicate pink stripes. After the leaves acquire a yellowish-green hue, gradually acquiring a saturated green color. The surface is smooth on top, bottom felt-pubescent. Three- or five-lobed leaves are round in shape and medium in size. The edges are slightly dissected, raised. Rarely enough, you can see curly foliage with a strong cut.
The Saperavi grape variety ripens within five months. It tolerates drought and moderate frosts. All shoots are strong, the plant is characterized by high productivity.
Bush characteristic
Description Saperavi grape variety is very important information for gardeners who just want to plant this plant on their site. This bush belongs to vigorous. Of all the shoots, 85% ripen, and 70% bear fruit. The fruiting of the bush is more than 20 years. It is advisable to plant grapes on soils that do not contain salt and lime.
The soil must be regularly moistened and well drained. During watering, make sure that the bushes are not flooded. Excessive moisture can adversely affect the state of the root system of the plant, as a result of which the bush will become less fruitful. If the problem is not resolved, then the plant may disappear altogether with time.
The shape and color of berries
The berries of this grape variety are oval, dark blue in color. The skin is thin, but also durable. There is a thick waxy coating on it. The pulp inside is sweet and juicy, slightly colored. Inside the berries with 2-3 seeds. A more saturated color is characteristic of the Saperavi northern grape variety. Description, photo of this plant will not leave indifferent many lovers of this culture. After tasting berries or juice, a red-bluish coating may remain on the lips and teeth.
Flowers do not need pollination, because they are bisexual.
Gardeners appreciate the pleasant aroma of berries that exude a fresh taste. Juice is slightly colored. One berry on average weighs about 5 grams. From 10 kg of berries you can get about 8 liters of juice. Its sugar content is an average of 20 g / 100 cm.
Various sorts of wines are made from juice, including sparkling wines. Thanks to the presence of essential oils, this fine grape wine is made from this grape.
Often wine has a strength of 12 degrees. It is characterized by a long shelf life. Fans believe that the best drink should be infused for about 12 years.
Bunch
When growing grapes, many gardeners pay attention to the characteristics of the bunch of plants. Consider its description in the Saperavi grape variety:
- average size, about 110 grams;
- broad-conical, loose form;
- leg up to 4.5 cm;
- strongly branched.
On each shoot, up to 7 clusters are formed. This is the best option for good ripening of all berries. When harvesting, the clusters need to be cut with secateurs or scissors.
Particular attention should be paid to the clusters and leaves around them. You can leave those that cover the berries from the scorching sun. But the part that is located near the sweet berries and does not let air in to them should be cut off.
Features of planting and growing
For planting, select places protected from wind and drafts. It is important that they are well lit by the sun. The soil must be non-saline and well-drained.
Planting seedlings depends on the region. For example, in the south the land often does not freeze in the winter. In such conditions, plants can be planted in the winter. But in the northern regions, planting is carried out after complete thawing of the soil, before the start of active sap flow.
Plants are planted in pre-prepared pits: a distance of 1.5 m between the bushes and 2.5 m between the rows. After planting, it is necessary to water the plant abundantly (three buckets of water). The trunk circle is mulched. To do this, you can use needles, straw and sawdust. Young seedlings must be protected from possible frosts.
Experienced gardeners recommend growing on trellises, distributing the shoots so that they are well ventilated. It is necessary to regularly ensure that the leaves do not obscure the ground near the trunk circle. Clusters can be covered with a leaf from too aggressive exposure to sunlight.
Watering
Frequent watering is necessary for young seedlings. Carefully monitor the moisture of the soil, because the water should not stagnate. They also need additional shelter for the winter, despite the frost resistance property.
Adult plants are not afraid of frost, only an unexpected drop in temperature in spring, when the buds have already bloomed, can harm them. Adult bushes need watering only in severe drought.
How to care?
Today, the Saperavi grape variety is especially popular. Photos of bright and ripe berries are liked by many lovers of homemade wine. On each bush of the plant there can be no more than 35 eyes. Remember to regularly trim up to 6 eyes. Particular attention should also be paid to the antifungal treatment of the plant.
Top dressing
For a regular and rich harvest, bushes need nutrition. Fertilizing the vineyard is carried out 3-4 times a season. To do this, use mineral fertilizers, which include phosphorus and potassium. Make top dressing in moist earth in the trunk circle. The frequency of top dressing directly depends on the quality of the soil, the degree of its depletion and fertility.
Pests and diseases
Carefully study the information on the diseases and pests of Saperavi grapes in the description of the variety. Photos of affected plants will help novice gardeners determine the initial stage of the disease.
This grape variety may be affected by oidium, mildew, gray rot.
Oidium affects the flowers and berries of the plant. The disease is manifested by dark gray spots with the smell of rot. Prevention consists in good ventilation of the plant, spraying 4 times a year with diluted colloidal sulfur.
The mildew fungus affects the shoots and leaves of the plant. The first sign is the appearance of yellow spots on the surface. Preventive measures include spraying the bush with Bordeaux liquid before and after flowering.
Gray rot resembles a dusty white coating. In this case, the bushes are treated with a solution of baking soda.
Phyloxers are pests that attack grapes. You should carefully inspect the plant. If the root is damaged, the affected areas must be removed in a timely manner to protect healthy ones. If the leaves are affected, they must be cut and burned to prevent the spread of the pest throughout the plant. It is also necessary to treat the plant with fungicides.