The best Georgian grape varieties: description, features of planting and growing

The fact that Georgia is the birthplace of most grape varieties can be considered an indisputable fact. Impressive figures are given as an argument, because it is here that there are up to 500 varieties of such a popular culture. The fruits of this sun-loving plant are considered the berry of life. And every gardener, even having a small plot, would like to plant at least several grape bushes on it. Just one brush of transparent, emerald berries absorbs a lot of vital elements. In order to preserve all the beneficial properties and individual characteristics of the fruits so that representatives of the best varieties of Georgian grapes feel good on your site, it is important to familiarize yourself with the specifics of growing plants and caring for them.

A bit of history

The centuries-old history of Georgia, thanks to the local types of grapes growing here, is inextricably linked with the birth of original methods of wine production. It is interesting that in the natural environment, on the foothills and plains of this country, a wild specimen of this plant grows. Local residents have long been engaged in the cultivation of grapes. In times of turbulence for the country, the devastation again went wild and multiplied by itself until it was touched by the hand of the breeder. Therefore, many modern hybrids owe to the native plant.

Each individual grape variety - Georgian, and other varieties - will be unique in its taste and market characteristics, endurance and yield. This is due to the fact that the culture in which it grows and the microclimate of the site are important for the culture. The geographical factor is so strong that the varietal characteristics of the grapes, if grown in another country, may become too blurry or get a completely different description. Nevertheless, Russian farmers successfully cultivate it and get a good harvest. According to the description of grape varieties presented in our review, each gardener can find the species that he would like to plant on his site.

Species classification

Characteristics and quality of wine are directly dependent on the color, taste and ripeness of the fruit. And some crops are grown for the food and raisin industries. In cosmetology, grape seed oil is obtained. About nine varieties have a table purpose, 29 items are allocated for the manufacture of wine. Therefore, it is advisable to divide Georgian grape varieties into main groups: white and black. In Georgia, endemic cultures are used for the production of strong drinks - they are formed precisely in the local climate. Here, imported specimens from Italy and France are also found. Next - grape varieties with photos and descriptions.

Whites

Under white varieties are meant all crops with light berries - yellow and various green shades. They are dining rooms and technical. The latter are cultivated for production purposes, but they can also be consumed fresh. Canteens are grown for eating fruits and cooking. For the manufacture of strong drinks they are used extremely rarely. It is noteworthy that light berries are the most common in the world. Let's pay attention to the description and photos of grape varieties that are considered the most valuable:

• Hehli. A rare species whose advantages are resistance to weather conditions. It survives well in great frost and drought. Not prone to phylloxera, high yielding. Sugar accumulation is moderate - 25-30%, it is used for the manufacture of branded strong drink using port technology.
• Gori. Grapes with white berries. Late-ripening variety, its fruits are ready for harvest usually in October. It has excellent properties for making old wines. They make champagne strong drinks from it. The berries are large, the pulp is juicy, the sugar content is slightly more than 20%.
• Chinuri. It is found in the eastern and central parts of Georgia. It has an increased immunity to diseases. Sugar content - 20-22%, used for the manufacture of sparkling strong drinks. Based on it, a product under the Chinuri brand is prepared and manufactured.
• Kisi. A rare variety of Kakheti grape variety. Suitable for the production of dry white wine. However, it also produces an excellent semisweet drink.
• Krahuna. A copy with white sweet fruits. Significant fluctuations in the sugar accumulation of fruits were noted, taking into account the geographical location of the plantations. The technologies for making wines from this type of culture are applied European. The fruits have the ideal properties that are necessary for the upholding of strong wines.
• Tsitska. A special type of Georgian grape, which is widely used for the production of sparkling high-quality drinks. It differs in late ripening of fruits and aroma with floral notes.
• Tsolikauri. This is a more popular type of culture with light berries. It is a mid-season variety, the fruits ripen by the end of October. The accumulation of sugar is from 20 to 25%, the average acidity is 8.5 g / l. Georgian wine from Tsolikouri grapes has a golden color with a greenish tint. Most hard liquors are produced in the western part of this country. On sale there are products under the brands "Tvishi" and "Svir", which are made with the addition of a variety of Tsitsk. Varietal wine goes under the name "Tsolikauri".

In Georgia, foreign grapes, such as White Muscat, Chardonnay, Aligote, have taken root well.

Black

In Georgia, both rare and quite popular black grapes are cultivated. We will give the first place in this list to the description and photo of the Saperavi variety. This famous culture makes up the main raw material base for making red wine. Its main advantage is that the juice obtained from the fruits has a rich saturated color. It is lacking in transparency, rather dark, so it allows you to produce drinks with similar shades. Even the name of the species from the original language means “dyer”. Georgian wines from Saperavi grapes: “Kvareli”, “Napareuli”, “Mukuzani”, “Saperavi” - dry; “Algeti”, “Kindzmarauli”, “Akhasheni” - semisweet; "Pirosmani", "Alaverdi" - semi-dry. The aging process of noble strong drinks is slow, they are well preserved. The best time to start using them is four years.

Check out the main characteristics of black grape berries and crop photos:

• In Saperavi, brushes can reach up to one kilogram in weight. The berries themselves are not too large (length 15-17 mm, width 15), have a black and blue color. The structure of the pulp is tender, juicy. The peel is strong, but thin, a wax coating forms on its surface. Each berry has two seeds and weighs up to 13-15 g.
• Aladasturi. One of the ancient representatives of red grape varieties, which was almost exterminated by phylloxera (aphids). The vine is fruitful, one brush weighs 250-300 g. The fruits reach full maturity in October, are distinguished by good transportability, and can persist until spring. It is used for making semi-sweet wines.
• Cabernet. The variety was imported to Russia from the Crimea, and is now widespread everywhere. It is known under two names - “Cabernet Franc” and “Cabernet Savignion”.
• Ojaleshi. The latest crop of red grape varieties. Harvesting is usually done at the end of the fall season, and sometimes at the beginning of winter. At the same time, acidity reaches - 8 g / l, sugar - 22%. Grape drinks are distinguished by the optimal ratio of acid to alcohol, a harmonious combination of color and rich aroma. Wines are made from it semisweet.

In addition to the above crops, the following Georgian grape varieties for wine are used: Tavkveri, Alexandrouli, Usahelouri, Mujuretuli, Tavkveri, Chkhaveri. The drinks obtained from them are characterized by high quality, playfulness and color intensity.

Grapes with red fruits

From the description of grape varieties, it can be concluded that varieties with red and black berries are often assigned to the same group of crops. However, there are three more foreign species that have a dark fruit color.

The first of them is Cabernet Sauvignon red. The wine from it is amazing, with the presence of an interesting bouquet of aromas, delicate taste, normal concentration of all components. The fruits of this variety ripen in September.

Another type of red French grape is Naur. It is used for the production of sparkling alcoholic beverages, matures in late summer. Harvest time, in particular, depends on which region the crop is cultivated in. For example, in Imereti, fruits are harvested in August, and in Kartli at the beginning of the fall season.

Variety Isabella is characterized by high yields, frost resistance and unpretentiousness in care. Also has a good immunity to diseases, aphids are not damaged. It is recommended for cultivation for the purpose of eating fruits, but not for winemaking.

Pink grape varieties

Photos of crops from the group of pink varieties allow us to notice that the color of their fruits can vary from light pink to almost red. Staining of berries occurs as they ripen, and also depends on some external factors. For example, in extreme heat, where there is almost no temperature difference between daytime and nighttime, a barely noticeable pink tint appears on the fruits. Crops in which the fruits have a rich, dark red color are not included in this group; these may be blue or black grape varieties.

• Anyuta. The hybrid, which was obtained by crossing the famous radiant variety Kishmish and a variety of Kesha-1, is included in the amateur selection of V.N. Krainova. The species is characterized by intensive vine growth and a large brush size, which is why the culture is prone to overload. Belongs to medium-late varieties, the flowers are bisexual, pollination is stable, not susceptible to cracking. Sugar accumulation depending on the region of growth is from 20 to 50%, the average acid content is 6 g / l. The berries have a pronounced pink color, oval shape, in mass reach up to 10-20 g. The structure of the pulp is dense, the skin is thick. Fruits have a light nutmeg aroma. The culture can be grown by stocks with any other grape varieties.
• Pink rakatsiteli was bred for technical purposes, used in the manufacture of dry wines. The bushes are medium-sized, characterized by good ripening of the vine. The bunch is cylindrical, quite elongated, weight 250-340 g. Berries are evenly distributed, not too tight, have a normal taste. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, medium skin. Small berries (1, 8-2 g), have an oval shape. In the description of the grape variety pink Rkatsiteli noted that the culture does not tolerate frost and is susceptible to fungi. There is a plant of the same name with white fruits.
• Azalea. A kind of complex breeding, where the species of Nadezhda Aksayskaya and pollen of varieties Typhi and Delight (red) were used. Resistant to oidium, gray rot, mildew. The vine is characterized by moderate growth, forms massive clusters, weighing about 900 g. The berries are beautiful, even in color, long, large oval, the mass of one is 13 g. The skin is delicate, thin. The pulp is fleshy, juicy. Refers to extremely early frost-resistant varieties, high productivity. The accumulation of sugar reaches 22%, the average acidity is 6 g / l. The survival rate is good.
• Arched. It is characterized by intensive growth of shoots. Brushes are large, conical, with a moderate distribution of berries. Usually clusters on the same plant are formed with the same mass (500 g). The berries have a reddish tint, oval, narrowed on one side, shape. They have a firm, but at the same time juicy pulp, the skin is thick. The fruits are distinguished by an exquisite harmonious aftertaste. This pink grape variety is responsive to organic and mineral nutrition in high doses. With a poor soil composition, the berries are medium-sized. The plant is subject to oidium and invasion of wasps.
• Dubovsky. The representative of the selection S. E. Guseva. The bushes are tall, the brushes are huge, with good care and a microclimate they can gain in weight 900-1300 g. The bunch has an interesting branched structure, due to which the berries are arranged somewhat randomly. They have a nipple shape, on the one hand too narrowed. The skin is of moderate thickness, the structure of the pulp is compacted. Fruits need tweezing in order to improve presentation. The variety is distinguished by an early ripening period, frost resistance, has an excellent tasting assessment.
• Libya. It is a vigorous hybrid. Berries are collected in a moderately dense bunch, which grows 20-30 cm in length. Against the background of other pink varieties, grapes stand out by uneven coloring of fruits. As they mature, shades range from more delicate to very dark colors. Along with pink, even greenish berries can be on one brush. The skin is very delicate, the flesh is juicy. Libya has a nutmeg taste and a pleasant persistent aroma.

Kishmish

The most refined and useful since ancient times was considered to be green grapes. He became known earlier than his other brothers, farmers from many countries of the world are engaged in its cultivation. Seedlings remarkably take root in regions with different weather conditions and give abundant harvests. There is evidence that the homeland of the Kishmish variety is Egypt, but reliable information regarding this does not exist. For modern winegrowers, it is important to understand that the culture came about as a result of a natural mutation through the vegetative propagation method.

Thanks to the zeal of breeders, there are several varieties of this popular plant. Grape varieties Kishmish reviews are positive and worth considering. All of them are divided into two groups: frost-resistant and heat-loving. And they also have common characteristic features: lack of seed primordia (rudiments), increased fruit preservation, and dense pulp structure.

• Radiant. Belongs to high-quality vigorous varieties of seedless crops, the ripening period is average - 4 months. Large brushes, tasty berries, with pronounced notes of muscat. The fruits are distinguished by good transportability and a beautiful presentation.
• Senteniel (Century). The vine of this variety is capable of great returns, it forms massive cone-shaped brushes, the weight of which ranges from 0.8-1, 30 kg. The berries are arranged with a uniform density characteristic of this variety. This is one of the oldest varieties, the fruits of which produce high-quality raisins. Among gardeners, this variety is commonly called the "seedless century." The weight of one berry reaches up to 8 grams, its length is about 30 mm, its width is 15.
• In memory of Dombrowskaya. Suitable for cultivation in severe weather conditions, in regions with designated risky farming. Ancestors of culture are such varieties as Dawn of the North and Kishmish unique. The bushes are characterized by rapid growth, have a strong, flexible vine, which in one season can grow up to five meters. The berries are almost black, medium in size, collected in large clusters. There are no bones in the pulp.
• White. The origin of the variety is rooted in the deep times of the Central Asian countries. This is a dessert grape grown for fresh consumption and raisin production. The clusters are dense, bifurcated above, have a conical shape. The berries are medium-sized, with the presence of small seeds in the pulp.
• Hungarian. Early winter hardy grade. From the moment ovaries appear, the fruits ripen on 105-110 days. Refers to table varieties with pronounced taste. The culture was obtained with the participation of the American species Perlet Sidlis and the technical universal Vilar Blanc. Varietal features of this variety allow it to be cultivated in regions with frosty winters.
• Royal royal. Medium-late variety with seedless fruits. The growth of the bushes is determined by weather factors and soil composition. Grapes produce massive clusters weighing up to 800 g. The fruits are dark purple or black, very large, one berry weighs up to 6 g.

Transformation

This variety is a breeding novelty of N.V. Krainov. He does not yet have an official status, but he has become fond of many gardeners. , – . , . . , , .

:

• , ;
• guaranteed self-pollination, the plant has bisexual flowers;
• high exterior features;
• no peeling of berries;
• the hybrid has excellent ability to reproduce;

The presence of a large number of stepchildren makes it possible to get a second crop. Plant cuttings are grafted onto other crops. The bush can grow intensively and independently due to the fact that the seedlings have a good ability to root.

The downside of the elite variety is its moodiness. Grapes require special attention because they are susceptible to infections and pests.

Growing recommendations

Light grape varieties are best grown in a cool climate, crops with dark fruits need warmth for intensive shoot growth and fruit ripening.

Autumn royal farmers recommend planting at a distance of 2.5 meters, between the rows leave 3.5. With moderate development of the vine, the intervals from one bush to another are reduced to 1.8-2 m.

Grapes love loamy and silty soil, chernozem. Mandatory is the presence of a drainage layer. It would be good to dilute the soil composition with sand.

Saperavi feels good on chestnut and sandy loam soils.

Landing

Spring and autumn - time for planting grapes. The soil must be warm and the weather is stable and warm. In the spring, this time usually falls at the end of May. The vineyard plot should be selected in a well-lit and protected from the winds place. All bushes should be planted in one glad for full sun exposure.

Seedlings can be purchased both annual and biennial. The optimal parameters of the pit are 70x70 cm. The topsoil must be folded separately, since it is the most fertile. The depth of the landing hole should be 0.5 m. At the bottom you need to create a drainage layer of gravel and expanded clay.

One pit will require up to three buckets of decayed manure or compost, 200 g of potash fertilizers and superphosphate. All components must be mixed with the top layer of the earth, sprinkled with fertile soil, water in the amount of five buckets. After it is absorbed, it is necessary to create a mound of soil into which the seedling will be placed.

Before planting, a young bush should be placed in water so that its root system is saturated with moisture. Then you need to trim it. Root processes are cut off to a length of 14-16 cm. Then they are immersed in a mashroom consisting of water, humus and clay. When planting a young bush, it is necessary that the lower buds are at the same level with the soil surface. Then the seedling is watered well.

Care

Georgian wine and universal grape varieties are easy to grow. The rules of agricultural technology are as follows:

• timely pruning of vines;
• katarovka;
• garter of green twigs and dry;
• moistening the bushes;
• the application of mineral fertilizers;
• disease control.

For preventive purposes, plants are sprayed with copper-containing agents and fungicides. To control phylloxera, insecticides are used, as well as mechanical methods.

Pruning

This technique is the most important and most crucial for the proper development of the vine. It is also carried out in order to make it easier to care for the bushes. Formation is fan or standard. In regions with a warm climate, it is advised to leave 60 eyes each. The clusters in this case will grow larger.

Proper pruning is carried out taking into account the load on the vine. If it is thin, then it is better not to overload it. By reducing the number of brushes in one year, you can give an impetus to subsequent good yields. The plant will be renewed by force and will please with generous fruiting in the new season.

The easiest way to form a bush is to leave 2-4 sleeves. Crops growing in the northern regions need such pruning; it will be more convenient to shelter them for the winter. In autumn, the vine is set to its optimal shape. Each sleeve grown on the stem should have only two branches - long and short. All others should be cut off. In the structure of the bush, long vines are called fruiting, and short vines are called shoots of substitution. On the first, it is necessary to leave from six to nine kidneys, on the second - from three to five.

Spring formation is to eliminate unnecessary branches. In order to prevent excessive fruiting, one shoot must be left at one growth point. Sick, weak processes and stepsons, formed at each base of the second young leaflet, are also cut off.

What gardeners say

Photos of grape varieties and reviews provide an opportunity to appreciate each individual type of culture. All the plants described are in good standing with gardeners. True, the quality of the Isabella wine is not always positive.

Kishmish grapes gathered good responses not only among experienced gardeners, he attracted the attention of many novice farmers with their huge clusters and dense fruit structure.

Many people like Georgian Saperavi grapes and are grown in our country. Gardeners indicate that the culture tolerates frosts, stably grows, hands do not deteriorate, being on bushes for a long time. This is a universal variety from which you can make wine and eat its fruits.

We hope that the descriptions of grape varieties presented in the review are quite enough for you to be able to make your choice and plant on your site one that will correspond specifically to your taste preferences.