Rkatsiteli grapes

The total number of grape varieties growing on the territory of Georgia numbers more than 500 species, but breeders especially highlight only 20 of them. One of the famous varieties of eastern Georgia is Rkatsiteli, which belongs to the technical grape varieties.

The exact dates of the creation of Rkatsiteli grapes are unknown, as well as any information about the breeder. It is only known that the variety traces its history from Kakheti (Georgia). Ideal climatic conditions have made it possible to grow Rkatsiteli grapes for many years. High quality dry white wines, grape juices are made from this variety, and it is also the basis for creating cognac.

Rkatsiteli grape is one of the most common grape varieties in Georgia. It is actively used in winemaking. Depending on the area of ​​cultivation, you can find different names for this variety: Mamali Rkatsiteli, Dedali Rkatsiteli, Kukura, Budashuri, Topolek and Korolek.

The pyramidal shape of the Rkatsiteli bush is formed by reducing the foliage of the foliage from the base to the top of the plant. A medium-sized leaf with 3-5 lobes has a green or bronze tint. A well-developed root system allows the roots to go up to 3 meters into the ground.

The flowers of this variety are bisexual, growing in inflorescences. Rkatsiteli loves the sun, so the highest yield is found on plantations located on the slopes of the mountains.

This grape variety is considered late - September-October. The ripening period lasts from 155 to 160 days. This is the time when ripe berries are formed from ripe buds, ready to eat.

Rkatsiteli is a plant with an average frost resistance (up to -22 degrees).

Technical varieties are characterized by clusters of small size and medium density. Rkatsiteli has a cylindrical and cylindrical-conical shape of a bunch, the average weight of which reaches 155-165 grams. Its length can reach 17-18 cm, and its width is 7-8 cm.

Ripe berries have a pleasant golden yellow color and bronze specks on the side facing the sun. The juicy pulp is covered with a thin but firm skin. Medium-sized grapes come in round or oval shapes, each containing 3 seeds.

Rkatsiteli has a pleasant sweet taste with a slight sourness. The rich aroma is considered the hallmark of this grape. Sugar content and acidity characterizing the taste of grapes directly depend on the location of the plantation. On average, the sugar index can vary from 172 to 188 g / dm3, and the acidity - from 7 to 9 g / dm3.

Like any other grape variety, Rkatsiteli requires constant care and favorable climatic conditions. The level of vineyard yield depends on this. The percentage of fruiting shoots ranges from 20 to 70, so the yield indicator can range from 90 to 150 c / ha.

Sandy loam and loamy soils are suitable for this variety. In the southern territories, where the climate is dry and hot in summer, it is recommended to plant grapes on the northern slopes. In this case, the berries ripen evenly under the sun. It is necessary to plant young grape bushes in the spring, then they have time to take root well. The best period for planting is the middle or end of May, then the plants will definitely be able to survive the winter.

Planting is best done in the evening or on a cloudy day, so that the newly planted vine does not wither under the scorching sun. In order for all planted grape bushes to take root, the following planting scheme should be adhered to: the bushes must be planted at least 2 meters from each other, keeping a distance of 3 meters between the rows.

A hole for each bush is dug with a diameter and depth of 1 meter, they do this a couple of weeks before planting. 1/2 of a mixture of 2 buckets of soil, 2 buckets of manure, 1 liter of wood ash and 100 grams of fertilizer are poured into it. A pit with a mixed composition is left for two days, after which they begin to disembark. The day before planting, the seedling is placed in water to saturate it with moisture.

The grapes self-pollinate because they have bisexual flowers. He does not need any additional procedures.

Pruning the vines is essential in order to increase the yield and improve the quality of the bunch.

All summer, the top layer of the earth is removed and the upper roots are carefully trimmed, which allows the lower ones to grow faster and deeper. At the end of summer or until mid-October, pinching of the upper fruiting shoots is carried out so that nutrients are better supplied to the bunches.

The Rkatsiteli grape belongs to varieties of medium frost resistance, it can withstand temperatures of 22 degrees below zero. Therefore, in the period after harvest, when cold weather sets in and frost begins, Rkatsiteli bushes are covered so that young seedlings do not freeze. With the onset of spring warming, shelters are removed from the grape bushes. Then they dry it and start pruning.

Improper care can lead to leaf rollers and spider mites. In the first case, the use of special drugs will help: "Fufanon-Nova", "Decis", "Aliot". These insecticides are sprayed on bushes before and after flowering. In the fight against ticks, such means as "Akarin", "Kleschevit", "Fitoverm" and others will help. To avoid the occurrence of pests, it is necessary to remove the remains of the plant and cut off the affected shoots.

Another enemy of this variety is powdery mildew. Spraying all bushes with special fungicides ("Topaz", "Strobi") will be a preventive measure. If the plant is already sick, Tiovit Jet should be used. To exclude the possibility of gray rot on the grapes, it is necessary to treat all the bushes with "Fitosporin" for prevention purposes.

Before storage, the collected bunches are freed from rotten, unripe and damaged berries. The storage area should be dark, but with good ventilation, where the air temperature should be from 0 to +7 degrees, and the humidity level should not exceed 80 percent.