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Since ancient times, grapes have been treated with respect, thanks to the healing power of the berries. In ancient manuscripts of different nations 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 joyful days for people, where the 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 my favorite varieties is Cabernet grapes. The features of cultivation and care will be discussed in the article.
Description
The description of the variety and the first photos of Cabernet grapes were given by French breeders, the 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 teeth on the edges. The grapes are especially beautiful in the fall, when spots similar in color to red wine appear on the leaf blades.
Cabernet Sauvignon has male and female flowers. But this does not always save you from peas. In reviews, winegrowers write that they have to do 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 coating. Because the skin is thick, Cabernet Sauvignon is a technical grape variety.
Characteristics
The Cabernet grape has many advantages, which makes it popular among winegrowers and winemakers. There are also disadvantages, which will also be discussed.
Advantages of the variety
- The grapes are productive; 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 fall off.
- The grapes do not crack, even when overripe.
- Rain does 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 pollinating.
- At the very beginning, the ovaries may crumble from the wind.
- The late ripening of the variety (140-160 days) does not allow grapes to be grown in any region of Russia.
Varieties of Cabernet
Cabernet grapes have several varieties. A brief description and photos will be presented below.
Sauvignon
To understand what Sauvignon grapes are, you can’t 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 coating. Despite the fact that the clusters are small, the harvest is still excellent.
Cortis
Cortis is a grape variety created by German breeders. They crossed Cabernet Sauvignon and Merzling varieties. The variety has a medium-late ripening period; the clusters are cut after 138-140 days. Cortis consistently produces high yields of wine berries, bluish with a waxy coating. Photo of the Cortis variety below.
Fran
It should be noted that this particular variety is called the progenitor of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Compared to the “child”, the parent is less productive, but matures earlier. It is Fran that is the grape variety that is recommended to be grown in risky farming zones. The clusters are medium dense, with dark blue berries, covered with a thick coating.
Northern Grapes
Northern Cabernet grapes are represented by low and non-spreading bushes. Small tassels weighing up to 100 grams are formed on the vine. The berries are small, dark with a waxy coating. Ripening begins in September.
Michurinsky
High-yielding variety of medium ripening period. Clusters of dark berries with a whitish coating begin to be collected 115-125 days after the start of flowering. The brushes are small, on average 100 grams.
The Cabernet Michurinsky grape variety has good immunity to many crop diseases. In addition, it can be grown in almost any region of Russia: it can withstand frosts up to 29 degrees.
Karol
The medium-ripening variety annually pleases with a rich harvest. It should be noted that, unlike other cultivated plants, Karol grapes bloom later than others, so the flowers never fall under spring frosts.
Carbon
Medium ripening plant. To avoid peas, since grapes only have female flowers, you need to plant vines of other varieties next to them. The size of the bunches is within the Cabernet variety, about 100 grams. Aromatic wine is prepared from small round berries.
Yura
The Jura grape variety was developed by Swiss breeders. The vine and clusters are disease resistant. Medium ripening grapes. Dark purple berries with a bluish coating are processed into wine.
Dorsa
The variety is average in yield, but it is stable every year. Medium-ripening berries accumulate a large amount of wine sugar. Red wine made from Cabernet Dorsa grapes has a pronounced fruity aroma.
Growing and care
As already noted, almost all varieties of Cabernet grapes can be grown in many regions of Russia. The plant is unpretentious, but for success you need to know the features of planting and care.
Selecting a location
Cabernet grapes can be grown in any soil because they are undemanding. But it is advisable to choose a well-lit landing site. Southern slopes are best suited. There are no mountains in ordinary garden plots, so they are created artificially.
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 rootstock; the best are considered to be:
- Riparia 3309;
- Riparia 101-14;
- Kobera 5BB;
- Berlandieri Teleki 8B.
Planting care
Cabernet grapevines are planted in spring or fall. A distance of 3 to 4 meters is left between the rows. This will not only create convenience during care, but will also ensure sufficient air circulation and save you from illness.
- During the growing season, plants are watered promptly and removed weeds and loosen the soil.
- Starting in spring, the soil is mulched. First, mulch protects the roots from the cold, and in the summer it prevents moisture from evaporating.
- The greatest need for watering is during the ripening period of the bunches. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the climatic characteristics of the area where the grapes are grown. If it rains, watering is stopped. During drought, watering is carried out at the roots. During the formation of ovaries, it is advisable to spray the bushes. There is no need to flood the bushes, otherwise the berries will lose their taste and become watery.
- In order for the grape variety to develop well, regular feeding will be required. This can be organic matter or special mineral fertilizers. The plants are fed several times, with the last feeding scheduled for mid-July.
Formation
Pruning begins 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 trunks; some young growths are left hanging. Shorten the shoots by 5-6 eyes.
Diseases and pests
All types of Cabernet grapes are resistant to phylloxera. But it is not always possible to save plantings from oidium and 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 purpose special preparations are used. Rules of use are specified 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 they are difficult to see. But their dominance can be seen by the reddish swellings on the leaves. For destruction, treatment with Bordeaux mixture and 4% soap solution is used. You need to spray not only from above, but also to capture the leaves and stems from below. These types of work are carried out when the kidneys open. In summer, plantings are additionally pollinated with sulfur.
Another pest is the grape leaf roller butterfly and its offspring. The caterpillars damage the ovaries and also feed on ripe berries. 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 dual-composition treatment is necessary to combat mold and mildew.
Features of growing grapes:
