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The basis of the vineyards of northern Spain is the Tempranillo variety, which is part of the raw material for famous vintage wines. The unique properties of the variety have expanded the area of its cultivation to the vineyards of Portugal, California, Argentina, Australia. Grapes are also grown in the southern regions of Russia, albeit in limited quantities.
Description
The buds on the vine bloom late, the shoots ripen quickly. A young shoot of Tempranillo grapes, according to the description of the variety, with an open crown, crimson at the edges. The first five-lobed leaves are the same, yellowish-green, bordered, densely pubescent below. The vine has long internodes, the leaves are large, wrinkled, deeply dissected, with large teeth and a lyre-shaped petiole. The bisexual, medium-dense Tempranillo grape flower is well pollinated.
Long, narrow clusters are compact, cylindrical-conical in shape, of medium size. Rounded, slightly flattened, dark berries, with a rich violet-blue tint, close together. Tempranillo grapes, as emphasized in the description, contain a lot of anthocyanins. These coloring pigments affect the richness of the wine with velvety visual nuances. On a thin skin matt bloom. The pulp is dense, juicy, colorless, with a neutral odor. The berries are medium in size, 16 x 18 mm, weighing 6-9 g.
On sale, cuttings of Tempranillo grapes can be offered under local synonyms: Tinto, Ul de Liebre, Ojo de Liebre, Aragones.
White variety
At the end of the 20th century, the Tempranillo grape variety with green-yellow fruits was discovered in the Rioja region, a traditional region of cultivation of the variety. It began to be used for winemaking after official permission two decades later.
Characteristic
The Tempranillo grape variety has long been cultivated in Spain. One of the most valuable and noble vines of the sultry lands of Rioja only recently "acquired" its homeland. For a century, there has been talk of Tempranillo's origins in Burgundy, even that the vine was brought to northern Spain by the Phoenicians. Detailed genetic studies by Spanish scientists have confirmed the autochthonous nature of the vine, which formed about a thousand years ago in the Ebro Valley. Today the variety accounts for 75% of all grown vines in this area.
Tempranillo is a fruitful variety, yields up to 5 kg of medium or late ripening berries. The most common grape name - Tempranillo ("early"), conveys this characteristic of the vine, which ripens earlier than other local varieties. The variety needs to limit the bunches on one vine, which must be removed in time.
Dependence of properties on the place of cultivation
The characteristics of the Tempranillo grape variety are determined by the temperature, conditions and height of the land in which the vineyards are located. The best performance is observed in those vines that are grown in the Mediterranean climate on mountain slopes up to 1 km.Below 700m and in temperate plains, grapes are also grown, although some changes occur in the final product. Elegant shades of wine emerge from berries that have acquired the characteristic sourness of the variety at night temperatures below 18 degrees. Sufficient sugar content and a thicker skin are created in the hot afternoon hours of 40-degree heat. The climatic features of northern Spain made it possible to give birth to the now famous wines based on Tempranillo. The vine of this variety has managed to adapt to such conditions.
On the plains, the acidity of the grapes decreases. And the lack of sunlight leads to the massive appearance of fungal diseases, which are easily affected by grapes. The development of the vine and the properties of the berries depend on the temperature regime. Tempranillo grapes are vulnerable to spring frosts. The vine tolerates a drop in winter temperatures down to -18 degrees.
Variety value
Despite the exactingness of the vine, growers cherish the Tempranillo variety. On its basis, by the method of blending with other varieties, companions in winemaking - Garnacha, Graciana, Carignan, elite table wines with a rich ruby color and fortified ports are made. Grapes grown under the agreed conditions impart fruit nuances to drinks, in particular, raspberries. Wines produced on its basis lend themselves to long aging. They change the fruity taste and are enriched with specific notes of tobacco, spices, leather, which are highly valued by gourmets. In Spain, Tempranillo is recognized as a national product. His day is celebrated annually: the second Thursday of November. Juices are also produced from Tempranillo.
Advantages and disadvantages
The modern consumer liked the Tempranillo wines. And this is the main advantage of grapes. In addition, it is noted that the variety has:
- Good and stable yield;
- Absolute indispensability in winemaking;
- High adaptive capacity in the southern regions.
Disadvantages are manifested by a certain capriciousness of the grape variety and demanding temperature and soil.
- Low drought tolerance;
- Sensitivity to powdery mildew, gray mold;
- Affected by strong winds;
- Exposure to leafhoppers and phylloxera.
Growing
Growth of Tempranillo grapes is possible only in the southern regions of Russia, where there are no frosts below 18 degrees. The features of the continental climate are suitable for vines. Hot days contribute to the accumulation of the required percentage of sugars, and low night temperatures give the berries the required acidity. The variety is picky about soils.
- Sandy soils are not suitable for growing Tempranillo;
- The grape prefers soils with limestone;
- The variety needs at least 450 mm of natural precipitation per year;
- Tempranillo suffers from the wind. To land it, you need to look for an area protected from strong air currents.
Care
The grower must exclude damage to grapes by recurrent frosts. Shelter should be provided if cold air enters a normally warm region.
For Tempranillo grapes, regular watering and care of the trunk circle is necessary, exemption from weeds, on which pests can breed. During the heat, the vine with bunches is covered with a shading net.
If the conditions for the selection of the soil are fulfilled, it can be hoped that in the southern regions the berries of the Tempranillo grape variety will have the taste that they have at home.
Vine formation
In Spain and other countries where Tempranillo grapes are cultivated, bunches are grown on vines shaped like a goblet. The free hand position contributes to the accumulation of fruit flavors. For the winter, 6-8 eyes are left on the vine. In the summer, the crop load is monitored to allow the remaining bunches to fully ripen.
Top dressing
Fertilize a demanding grape variety in the fall with organic matter, digging a trench on one side of the root.
- The depth of the furrow is up to 50 cm, the width is 0.8 m. The length is determined by the size of the bush;
- Usually they make such a trench where 3-4 buckets of humus could fit;
- Organic matter must be completely rotted;
- Having laid the fertilizer in a trench, it is compacted, sprinkled with earth.
A similar supply of grapes is enough for 3 years. Next time they dig a trench for laying organic matter on the other side of the bush. You can increase it in length and make it deeper to lay already 5-6 buckets of humus.
Protection against diseases and pests
The Tempranillo grape variety is affected by fungal diseases under unfavorable conditions. In the spring and summer, they carry out the necessary spraying with fungicides, prophylactically treating the grapes against infection with mildew, oidium and gray rot.
The variety is susceptible to attacks by phylloxera and leafhoppers. The drugs Kinmix, Karbofos, BI-58 are used. The treatment is repeated after two weeks.
Passionate gardeners from the south of the country should try this wine variety. Only grape planting material should be taken from trusted producers.
