Content
Riesling grapes are a white technical variety that is used to produce high-quality wines with a high sugar content range from dry to dessert. But in any case, the increased acidity of the drink remains. This variety is also suitable for juice production. Riesling shows increased productivity when grown in temperate regions. To get a good harvest, you need to follow some agricultural technology features.
Riesling is often called the "king of the vineyard"
History of selection
Riesling is an ancient European variety, the first mention of which dates back to 1435. The Rhineland region of Germany is considered the birthplace of this grape. A DNA study showed that it was obtained on the basis of a less common species of Gouais blanc and a hybrid form of Traminer. It is not known for certain who its originator is.
Description of the Riesling grape variety
Riesling bushes are characterized by medium vigor. When growing the variety without shelter, it is recommended to form it on a high trunk 1.2 m high with freely hanging or tied annual growth. If it is necessary to insulate the vines for the winter, preference should be given to multi-armed fan plantings.
Bunches
Riesling grapes have small clusters. Their length reaches 14 cm and their width is 8 cm. The structure of Riesling bunches can vary from loose to dense, and the shape can be cylindrical or conical. Their average weight is 80-100 g. The length of the comb does not exceed 3 cm.
Berries
The fruits are medium in size, their diameter is 11-15 mm. The shape of the berries is round. The skin is dense, thin with a waxy coating. When ripe, the fruits become light green in color, and rare small brown dots appear on their surface. The pulp is juicy and soft. Each berry has 2-4 seeds.
When processing fruits, the juice yield is 80% of the total mass
Vine
Riesling grapes produce many young shoots and require annual pruning. The vine ripens well throughout the season. This can be determined by the shade, which changes from reddish to light brown. But at the same time, the nodes have a darker shade than the internodes. About 45% of Riesling's replacement buds are fruit-bearing.
The leaves are medium sized, three or five lobed. A characteristic feature of the variety is highly wrinkled, funnel-shaped, rough plates with convex veins and felt pubescence on the reverse side. The notches at the top of the leaves are medium in size, and at the base they are small. The petiole recess on the plates can be closed or open. In the first case, it has an ellipsoidal lumen, and in the second, a narrow mouth. Riesling's petioles are no longer than the main vein of the leaf. They have an anthocyanin tint.
The teeth along the edge of the plates have a wide base, triangular, and closer to the tip they become dome-shaped.
With the arrival of autumn, the leaves of this grape acquire a bright yellow tint.
Characteristics of Riesling grapes
To assess the productivity of a variety, you need to study its characteristics. This information will also help determine favorable conditions for its cultivation and avoid mistakes in care.
Ripening period
This species is distinguished by its late ripening period. According to the description, the growing season for the Rhine Riesling grape variety lasts 150-160 days from the moment the buds open. The bunches ripen at the end of September at a total of active temperatures of 28−29 °C.
Yield of Riesling grapes per vine
The grapes do not have high yields. The number of fruitful shoots on the bush is 87%. In this case, no more than two clusters are formed on each of them. The yield level is 157 c/ha.
Taste of Riesling grapes
This grape is characterized by a pleasant, harmonious taste. Tasting rating is maximum.The taste contains hints of fresh fruit with a light aroma of flowers and herbs.
Young wine based on Riesling is distinguished by the tone of fresh apples and citrus fruits. As it ripens, its aroma takes on notes of honey and wilted flowers. In “aged” drinks, mineral impurities appear that cause an association with oil or acetone.
Where does it grow
Riesling is grown in many European countries that produce fine wines. The variety is also common in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia. The most favorable climatic conditions for it are the northern wine regions.
In Russia, Riesling grapes are recommended to be grown in the middle zone. In this case, the clusters have time to accumulate sweetness in the last warm days of autumn.
Frost resistance
The variety has an average level of frost resistance. Riesling does not suffer from short-term temperature drops to -20 °C. Grapes are also less susceptible to spring return frosts, since their growing season begins much later than other types of crops.
Drought resistance
Riesling requires regular watering and does not respond well to lack of moisture in the soil. But at the same time, the vine does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water. Therefore, when growing a variety, it is necessary to provide dosed watering, avoiding drought.
Disease resistance
Riesling is not resistant to diseases, which makes caring for the grapes of this variety difficult. In prolonged wet weather, the plant suffers from gray rot. The variety is also susceptible to oidium and bacterial cancer, but is not susceptible to mildew.In this regard, the gardener must regularly treat the grapes, using contact and systemic fungicides to ensure reliable protection against pathogenic microflora.
Riesling plantings need to be sprayed with fungicides at least 4-5 times per season.
This grape is also susceptible to attack by phylloxera and grape budworm.
Keeping quality
The harvested crop is suitable for transportation. It can also be stored fresh for 2-3 months in a cool room.
Advantages and disadvantages
Riesling, like all grape varieties, has strengths and weaknesses. Before you give preference to him, you should familiarize yourself with them.
Riesling has a tendency to berry peas
Main advantages:
- frost resistance;
- good ripening of the vines;
- suitable for transportation and storage;
- suitable for making wine, juice;
- does not suffer from spring return frosts;
- has relative resistance to mildew;
- The aroma combines floral, herbaceous, fruity notes.
Flaws:
- the variety is demanding on soil moisture;
- long and slow period of ripening of bunches;
- susceptible to infection by oidium, bacterial cancer, leaf roller, and phylloxera.
Features of cultivation
The removal of seedlings should be carried out in the spring so that they can get stronger during the season. Experts recommend planting Riesling grapes on gentle slopes on the south side of the site.At the same time, the variety responds well to soil with a high lime content. Plants should be placed taking into account the fact that each will require at least 5 square meters. m for full development.
After planting, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture. The seedling needs to be watered regularly for the first month as the top layer of soil dries out. Then moisturize once every ten days in the absence of rain. Mature Riesling grape bushes also need to be watered constantly, preventing the soil at their base from drying out. Moisturizing is especially important for them before flowering, during the formation of the ovary and before winter.
Riesling does not require regular feeding. It is enough to fertilize the vine twice a season with complex mineral mixtures with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. It is not recommended to feed this variety with organic matter.
Riesling grapes require annual pruning. This allows you to normalize the load on the bush. Fruit shoots should be shortened to 6-8 eyes.
If it is necessary to insulate a plant for the winter, it is recommended to initially cover it with soil at the base, and then remove the shoots from the support and lay them on the ground, having previously placed spruce branches under them. The top of the grapes should be covered with agrofibre, and then with film and the cover should be fixed.
Conclusion
Riesling grapes are an ancient variety that is widely used in winemaking. The most expensive drinks based on this type are dessert ones, made from late-ripening harvests, when the clusters remain on the vine longer than necessary. This leads to evaporation of moisture from the berries, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which is also called “noble rot”.As a result, the foamy drink acquires a unique taste and aroma that can surprise even true gourmets.
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