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Some fifty years ago, the words - grapes, viticulture, vineyard - were perceived by ear as something southern, sunny, hot, resort and sweet pleasure. During the season, of course, the inhabitants of the middle zone and Siberia were regularly supplied to the markets with a miracle berry, mostly dark-skinned horsemen in caps-airfields. Many of the older generation remember the plank counters in old bazaars and large clusters of elongated golden "ladies' fingers" filled with the sun not local - calm and peaceful, but foreign - scorching and sultry.
Time passed and it suddenly became clear that the breeders were not dozing. New grape varieties with a shorter vegetative period, early and super-early harvests, frost-resistant vine have been developed. Now the sun of the middle zone and more northern regions is quite enough to ripen and fill with sweet juice a foreign miracle berry. And the snow is endless and deep only to help this berry in winter. Because you can wrap the vine in them, like in a warm duvet. And then the grapes will sleep under the snow all winter, in order to reward the caring owners with their sweetness and honey smell in the summer.
Table and universal grape varieties
Grapes for central Russia, table varieties, that is, intended for fresh consumption. Grapes in the middle lane, including those in the Moscow region, may well gain from 16 to 24 percent of sugars, which will make it indistinguishable from the southern, useful and pleasant addition to the table of the winegrower.
The following will be a brief description of the main grape varieties suitable for cultivation in central Russia.
Charm
Early variety. Grapes are slightly oval, greenish-yellow, large, crunchy, with a bright nutmeg smell. They grow in brushes weighing a little less than a kilogram. Lying and transportable grade. The bush is very tall and massive. The grapes are resistant to fungal diseases, have good frost resistance (up to -24 degrees). In the middle lane it winters with a small cover.
Alyoshenkin
Very old and early variety. Ripens in a good warm summer in the second decade of August. The berries are smallish, but taste great. The color of the grapes is amber, with a nutmeg aroma. The sugar content is up to 20 percent, the bunches reach two kilograms with proper care. Winter hardiness is high, in the middle lane it requires a small shelter, possibly with a non-woven covering material.
Bashkir
Uncovering grapes of medium ripening, very beautiful, dark blue with a whitish waxy coating. The fruits are round, sweet and tasty. Highly winter-hardy - hibernates under snow without shelter.
Beauty of the North
The berries are whitish-green in color, very sweet. The bunches of this grape are medium-sized, medium-sized. Highly winter-hardy - hibernates without shelter. The bush is compact, very beautiful. It ripens very early, fully ripens even in the northern regions of the country.
Russian early
One of the most delicious and, perhaps, the earliest in the ranking of early grape varieties. The berries are large and very sweet, with a harmonious taste.The brush is weighty, beautiful, attractive. The color is dark smoky. It will ripen even in the most northern regions. Hibernates with small shelter.
Samokhvalovich
A high-yielding early grape variety. Resistant to diseases and pests. It hibernates without shelter, withstands frosts down to -32 degrees. Sugar content up to 18 percent. The grapes are sweet, the flesh is tender, crunchy, aroma with a hint of kiwi. Brushes are small, light, pink-greenish. It is quite suitable for cultivation in Central Russia.
Sensation
It boasts a great berry flavor. Huge grapes with thin skin, finger-shaped, various shades in one giant cluster. Fruit colors range from yellow-pink to red and burgundy. Early and tall, requires constant pruning and quickly begins bearing fruit. Requires shelter during the cold season.
Rusball
Grape variety of Siberian selection, early ripening. Seedless, own-rooted. Bunches are large, regular conical shape, dense. The berries are small, amber in color with a tan. The taste is simple but harmonious. Resistant to diseases, it is an excellent pollinator for other varieties.
Monarch
The variety is characterized by medium sized bunches and very large berries. Does not require special care, the berries are fragrant, juicy, sweet. Able to produce up to 10 kilograms of grapes from one bush. Ripens in early September, has no tendency to peas. Hardy, winters with light cover.
Charlie
A new unpretentious early-ripening grape variety. Able to carry a high load, up to 7 brushes on each shoot. Flowers are bisexual, they do not need pollinators. Sugar is gaining slowly, but the percentage is high (up to 22%). Productivity up to 20 kg per bush. Winter-hardy, but requires little cover.
Super Extra
The second name among gardeners is Citrine. Ripens in any region. The bush is vigorous, the clusters are large, the berries are surprisingly sweet and large. It hibernates with a small shelter, flowers are bisexual, self-fertile. Perfectly transported and distinguished by early maturity.
Technical grape varieties for the middle lane
The best varieties of technical grapes for central Russia are intended for obtaining raw materials for grape juices and, of course, for producing their own homemade wine.
A list of grape varieties suitable for homemade wine is presented below. The varieties are selected according to the principle of the possibility of cultivation in central Russia.
Zilga
A hybrid of the Baltic selection, incredibly winter hardy. It is quite capable of hibernating without shelter. Harvest up to 15 kg per bush. Fruits are purple, medium-sized, with a matte blue waxy coating. Sugar in grapes up to 20 percent, grazes on the bush, not crumbling after full maturity. Ripening period 110 days. Capable of one hundred percent self-pollination.
Saperavi North
A variation of the famous Georgian Saperavi. The flowers are bisexual, the cluster is medium in size. The berry is small, dark blue, with a thick matte waxy coating. Dark pink juice contains up to 28 percent sugars. Traditional variety for winemaking. It has long been used in wine production. It hibernates only with good cover. Late variety.
Platovsky
A technical grade of ultra-early ripening grapes. Small brushes - up to 200 grams. Small berries with a rosy blush, 20 percent sugars, used to make dessert and table wines.Winter-hardy, hardy, hibernates with light cover, you can use covering material.
Growing grapes in the middle lane is a fun and educational process for an amateur gardener. The reward for this work will be a delicious miracle berry. A bowl with grapes grown by your own hands will be an excellent decoration for any festive feast.