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Grapes have been treated with respect for a long time, thanks to the healing power of the berries. In ancient manuscripts of different peoples, there is a mention of this tasty and healthy berry. And poets in their verses compare grapes with the nectar of the gods. The saying: “There are pleasant days for people, where grape vines grow” can be read on the wall of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
More recently, grapes were grown only in the southern regions. Today, thanks to the hard work of breeders, the vine is successfully grown in many regions of Russia, even where the climate is harsh. One of the favorite varieties is the Cabernet grape. The features of cultivation and care will be discussed in the article.
Description
Description of the variety, the first photos of Cabernet grapes were given by French breeders, direct authors. To obtain it, the varieties Cabernet Fan and Sauvignon Blanc were used. Today Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular variety among winegrowers. The main purpose of the berries is the production of delicious grape wines.
Bushes
A plant with spreading shoots and carved five-lobed leaves. Each of them has triangular denticles along the edges. The grapes are especially beautiful in autumn, when spots appear on the leaf blades, similar in color to red wine.
The Cabernet Sauvignon variety has female and male flowers. But this does not always save you from peas. In the reviews, the growers write that they have to deal with artificial pollination.
Bunches and berries
The shape of the bunches is conical, but sometimes a so-called wing appears on them: the upper part with a branch. Brush length up to 15 cm, weight about 100 grams. The berries are round, up to 1.5 cm in diameter. There are few seeds in the grapes: 1-3. The fruits are blue with a waxy bloom. Since the skin is thick, Cabernet Sauvignon is a technical grade of grapes.
Characteristics
The Cabernet grape has many advantages, which makes it popular among winegrowers and winemakers. There are also disadvantages, which will also be discussed.
Pros of the variety
- The grapes are fruitful, with good care and favorable climatic conditions, up to 70 centners of fruit are harvested per hectare.
- Good transportability, since the berries do not burst or crumble.
- The grapes do not crack, even when overripe.
- The rains do not harm the berries.
- An excellent variety for the production of red dessert wines.
- The variety is winter-hardy and drought-resistant.
- The grapes are resistant to many diseases.
Minuses
- Possibility of peas. You have to spend time pollination.
- The ovaries at the very beginning can crumble from the wind.
- The late maturity of the variety (140-160 days) does not allow growing grapes in any regions of Russia.
Varieties of Cabernet
Cabernet grapes have several varieties. A brief description and photo will be presented below.
Sauvignon
To understand what the Sauvignon grape is, one cannot do without a photo and description. Immediately after its creation, the plant became the most popular. Table and dessert wines are prepared from dark blue berries with a thick bluish bloom. Despite the fact that the clusters are not large, the harvest is still excellent.
Cortis
Cortis is a grape variety created by German breeders. They crossed Cabernet Sauvignon and Merzling. The variety is of medium late ripening, the bunches are cut off after 138-140 days. Cortis consistently gives high yields, gray from wax bloom, wine berries. Photo of the Cortis variety below.
Fran
It should be noted that this particular variety is called the progenitor of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Compared to the “child,” the parent is less productive, but ripens earlier. It is Fran - a grape variety that is advised to grow in the zone of risky farming. Bunches of medium density, with dark blue berries, covered with a thick bloom.
Northern grapes
Cabernet North grapes are represented by low and non-sprawling bushes. Small brushes weighing up to 100 grams are formed on the vine. The berries are small, dark with a waxy bloom. Ripening begins in September.
Michurinsky
High-yielding medium-ripening variety. Bunches with dark berries with a whitish bloom begin to collect 115-125 days after the beginning of flowering. The brushes are small, an average of 100 grams.
The Cabernet Michurinsky grape variety has good immunity to many diseases of the culture. In addition, it can be grown in almost any region of Russia: it can withstand frosts up to 29 degrees.
Karol
A variety of medium ripening times annually pleases with a rich harvest. It should be noted that, unlike other plants of the culture, Karol grapes bloom later than anyone else, so the flowers never fall under the spring frost.
Carbon
The plant is of medium ripening. To avoid peas, since the grapes only have female flowers, you need to plant other varieties of vine next to it. The size of the bunches is within the Cabernet variety, about 100 grams. A fragrant wine is prepared from small rounded berries.
Yura
Jura grapes were bred by Swiss breeders. Vines and clusters are disease resistant. Medium ripening grapes. Dark purple berries with a bluish bloom are processed into wine.
Dorsa
The variety is average in yield, but it is stable every year. A large amount of wine sugar accumulates in berries of an average ripening period. Red wine made from Cabernet Dorsa grapes has a pronounced fruity aroma.
Growing and care
As already noted, almost all Cabernet grape varieties can be grown in many regions of Russia. The plant is unpretentious, but for success you need to know the peculiarities of planting and care.
Seat selection
Cabernet grapes can be grown in any soil as they are undemanding. But it is advisable to choose a well-lit landing site. The southern slopes are best suited. There are no mountains in ordinary garden plots, so they are created artificially.
The plantings are arranged in rows from north to south so that the plants are illuminated by the sun at any time. This placement creates good natural ventilation for the vine.
The Cabernet variety is grown on a rootstock, the best are:
- Riparia 3309;
- Riparia 101-14;
- Kober 5BB;
- Ber-landieri Teleki 8B.
Planting care
Cabernet grapes are planted in spring or fall. A distance of 3 to 4 meters is left between the rows. This will create not only convenience during care, but also provide sufficient air circulation and save you from illness.
- During the growing season, plants are watered in a timely manner, removed weeds and loosen the soil.
- Starting in spring, the soil is mulched. First, the mulch protects the roots from the cold, and in the summer it does not allow moisture to evaporate.
- The greatest need for watering during the ripening of the bunches. In this case, one must take into account the climatic features of the area where the grapes are grown. If it rains, then watering is stopped. In drought, watering is carried out at the root.During the formation of ovaries, it is advisable to spray the bushes. It is not necessary to pour the bushes, otherwise the berries will lose their taste and become watery.
- In order for the grapes of the variety to develop well, regular feeding will be required. It can be organic or special mineral fertilizers. The plants are fed several times, the last feeding is timed to mid-July.
Formation
Pruning starts already on one-year-old shoots. For young Cabernet grapes, as shown in the photo, short pruning is recommended. This will increase fruiting as the lower eyes are activated.
The variety is characterized by growing on high boles, some young growths are left hanging. The shoots are shortened by 5-6 eyes.
Diseases and pests
All Cabernet grapes are phylloxera resistant. But it is not always possible to save plantations from powdery mildew, anthracnose and bacteriosis, bacterial cancer and chlorosis and rubella. It is necessary to take preventive measures without waiting for the development of diseases. For this, special preparations are used. The rules of use are indicated in the instructions.
Insects
The most dangerous pests that can cause irreparable harm to the vine and the crop are spider mites and grape mites. These insects are so small that it is difficult to see them. But their management can be seen by the reddish swellings on the leaves. For destruction, use the treatment with Bordeaux liquid, 4% soap solution. It is necessary to spray not only from above, but also to grab the leaves and stems from below. These types of work are carried out with the opening of the kidneys. In summer, plantings are additionally pollinated with sulfur.
Another pest is the grape leafworm butterfly and its offspring. Caterpillars damage the ovaries and feed on ripe berries as well. The appearance of the pest can be determined by the berries, entangled in cobwebs.
For destruction, insecticides are used, to which fungicides are added. A double treatment composition is necessary to combat mold and mildew.
Features of growing grapes:
