Muscat grapes: features, planting and care

Grapes are grown for different purposes: use in fresh or canned form, sales, cooking wine.In the latter case, it is recommended to pay attention to the nutmeg varieties. The berries of this subgroup are distinguished by the exquisite aroma of musk and are used for both winemaking and fresh consumption. Muscat grapes are grown in many countries of the world: in Spain, Italy, Moldova, Hungary and others.

The grapes "Muscat" was known from the inhabitants of ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome, and its name was awarded to the French. In 1828, the inhabitants of the Crimea peninsula became acquainted with this variety. Today, this berry is mainly used for winemaking - it turns out a very original drink with a tart nutmeg taste and delicate aroma. It is the basis of such famous wines as “Asti” (Italy), “Massandra” (Crimea), “Orange” (USA), “Bom de Venise” (France).

The taste of this variety is rather unusual due to the presence in the skin and pulp of special compounds called ternopoid. In berries you can also find phytoncides that improve the condition of the intestinal microflora and the cardiovascular system. However, this variety does not respond well to low temperatures and is not able to defend itself against fungal diseases. This greatly complicates the process of growing "Muscat" in the open field.

Breeders all over the world, without ceasing, work, bringing new muscat varieties, which demonstrate the best characteristics, but do not lose their amazing taste and aroma. These include the early "Red", the widely known "White", "Amber", "Italy" and others.

The nutmeg subspecies "White" is common in European countries with a mild climate, as the berry requires sufficient sunlight and clay soil with patches of pebbles. Very often, this variety is planted on rocky slopes. Bunches of grapes in shape resemble a cylinder, and their weight varies from 120 to 400 grams. Small berries of a wax shade very sweet thanks to the high content of sugar. The soft texture of the pulp, delicate smell, nice looking rounded shape explains the popularity of this species.

The yield of “White” is satisfactory (from 60 to 100 centners per hectare), and the fruits are removed from the branches at the end of the first autumn month, allowing them to accumulate more sugar. The plant itself develops quite quickly, but the berries ripen within four months.

This variety is not susceptible to fungal infections.

“Novoshakhtinsky” variety comes from Russia. Its undoubted advantages include early ripening (100 days) and high frost resistance (up to -24 degrees). Grapes weigh up to 600 grams, and one berry weighs approximately 10 grams. Thick red-purple hue, crisp flesh, thin imperceptible peel explain why this subspecies are usually consumed fresh. The taste of berries is traditional muscat with the addition of caramel notes.

The plant has a high yield. The fruits themselves without any problems endure long-term storage on the vines and transportation. However, Novoshakhtinsky requires sufficient lighting, protection from wind and black soil with neutral acidity (this indicator can be adjusted by adding lime or ash). Usually the plant is planted in the spring by saplings or cuttings. The wells are dug out with a gap of 5 meters and adding drainage to the bottom. Care for this variety is fairly standard: watering, fertilization, protection from pests and disease prevention, as well as loosening the land.

The "Blau" subspecies was bred in Switzerland. It is characterized by early ripening, very high frost resistance (withstands cold down to -30 degrees) and moderate immunity. Reviews also suggest that this variety too often becomes a “target” for wasps.The clusters are small (their weight is 300 grams), and the weight of one black round berry reaches 5 grams. Despite the average yield, it is Blau that is used to make red muscat wines.

Pleases and innate immunity of this grape relative to the fungus, and the ability to resist mildew. It should also be mentioned that the Blau does not require bright light rays, so it is quite possible to put it on a shady area.

The "pink" variety, also known as "Red", is considered a variation of the "White" variety. It is quite popular and landed in all countries involved in winemaking. The cluster is a cylinder and consists of dense rows of round dense red berries. This subspecies can be immediately identified by a strong muscatel and dense wax coating. The “Pink” grape does not tolerate cold, but it perceives low-quality soils much more loyally. It is often exposed to downy mildew and is sensitive to dew present.

“Black” grapes are often grown in the Crimea and in the southern areas of France - he loves the heat. The clusters are small, but rather heavy - their weight reaches 800 grams. The berries have an unusual bluish tinge and a thin wax layer. They are round, dense and juicy. The composition contains a large amount of sugar, so this variety is selected for processing into raisins.

Hamburg is a versatile table variety that is widespread throughout the world and has won the hearts of even US farmers. The clusters are large, conical and quite loose. Their weight varies from 150 to 250 grams. The berries are large, painted blue with purple tints and covered with a thick layer of wax. This subspecies is afraid of most diseases, loves warmth and, like Black, is picky about the condition of the soil.

The early summer variety requires only 120 days to produce ripened fruits from the moment the buds bud. Clusters are large, reaching 700 grams by weight. Berries have a unique amber-white shade and juicy pulp. The weight of one fruit is about 8 grams. The variety copes well with low temperature, perfectly tolerates transportation and is not afraid of mildew.

“Upper Red” was bred by specialists from Moldova. It ripens in 100 days, which is considered to be a very early term, therefore in the middle of summer gardeners begin to feast on the harvest. The bunch weighs from 300 to 600 grams, and one berry is about 5 grams. The color of the fruit is deep red with a purple tint. The taste is very pleasant, and the flesh is crispy.

In addition to the above varieties, the varieties Yantarny, Dievsky, Noble, Moskovsky, Khrustalny and Italy are recognized at the world level.

The main advice regarding the cultivation of nutmeg grapes is the choice of a region with a warm climate. Most of them do not have high frost resistance and therefore require the most comfortable climate. The soil should ideally be rocky. It is important to control the level of irrigation and prophylactic treatment against diseases for which not all subspecies have immunity.

Planting is carried out in the spring, until the kidneys are awake. The root system will be able to settle down well, so that the required amount of nutrients will flow to the shoots. If the bet was made on the autumn planting, then in May we can already expect the appearance of green leaves on the shoots. It will be necessary to eliminate a part of the land around the seedling in order to ensure the best heating of the roots.

Do not forget about such a procedure as the normalization of shoots, that is, the removal of weak branches. By eliminating them, it will turn out to redirect nutrients to those shoots that are healthy and durable and will be able to give a good harvest. Usually, the lower shoots are removed, and the upper ones are left.

It should be ensured that the remaining parts are on the outside of the bush. When the soil temperature reaches +25 degrees, straw mulching is usually carried out to help prevent the soil from drying out and weeds occur.

Recommended cultivation of grapes on the trellis or formirovka on the arch. If there is no suitable design, then you can install a regular peg, but be prepared that as the grapes become heavier, it will no longer cope with its duties.

The time of treating the vines with pruners comes in early March or in September, until the cold struck. Removed not only the extra shoots, but also thinned branches. Once every three weeks under the bushes and between the rows of the earth is loosened. Preventive spraying is carried out in the fall or early spring. During all the twelve months of planting, they are periodically reviewed and checked for the quality of the leaves, the vine and the fruits themselves. If a trouble arises, the plant is immediately treated with insecticides or fungicides.

In general, the likelihood of diseases and susceptibility to insect attacks depends on the specific subspecies of Muscat, therefore, each variety has its own treatment. For example, Novoshakhtinsky often suffers from chlorosis, as well as from two types of rot - black and gray. It is often attacked by a moth and ticks: for their destruction it is recommended to spray the bushes twice a season with a solution of phytosporin.

The same applies to the variety "Delight". "Donskoy" grapes are often spoiled by pest phylloxera. To cope with it, the soil around the bushes is treated with sand, and the plant itself - “Confidor”, sold in specialized stores. Variety "Pleven" necessarily requires prophylactic treatment against mildew and oidium. In addition, he was often attacked by wasps, phylloxera and grapetail.

See what the best nutmeg table grape is in the next video.