Chardonnay grapes

The technical grape variety Chardonnay is known to many by the wine of the same name. Despite the fact that the plant belongs to low-yielding types of horticultural crops, its popularity does not fade away. Due to its special gastronomic qualities, grapes are excellent for making wine.

Chardonnay belongs to Western European varieties. The new variety is the result of crossing the following two species: Pinot noir and Gue blanc. The latter species is already considered extinct. Modern winemakers immediately noticed the resulting variety with unusual taste. Fruits with fruity notes are great for making wine drinks.

Another name is White Burgundy. Experts use the mother vine for the cultivation of grape crops.

The grapes can be either vigorous or medium-sized. The shoots are brown. The foliage is light green. The shape is rounded, with five lobes that are not cut off from each other. If the leaves are young, you can see a grayish tint on them. Then they acquire a golden and then bronze tint. There is slightly pubescence.

From the beginning of the growing season to the ripening of the fruits, it takes from 138 to 140 days. This characteristic applies to early varieties.

The bunches have a cylindrical-conical shape. The density index can be different - high, medium or loose. The weight is about 100 grams. The average length is about 10 centimeters. The ovaries may crumble early.

Ripe berries become greenish-white in color. And also there is a golden tide located on the sunny side. There is a thin waxy coating and small brown spots on the surface. There are 2-3 bones inside. The fruits are covered with a firm but thin skin. The pulp is juicy. The shape can be either oval or round. Weight varies from 2 to 4 grams. Diameter (in millimeters) - 12 to 16.

The taste of the crop is described as varietal. If the vineyards are located in a temperate climate, the taste will be richer and more expressive. The acidity level is from 8.2 to 11.6 g / dm³. Sugar - from 180 to 229 g / dm³.

The percentage of fruitful shoots on the bush is about 40%. On each of the shoots, from 2 to 3 bunches ripen at the same time. To obtain a plentiful and stable harvest, you need to plant a large number of bushes.

The variety develops remarkably in elevated areas.The slopes on the west side are the best option. Another condition necessary for obtaining a rich harvest is fertile soil. Lime-saturated soil, as well as stony clay soil, is great. The growth rate of the horticultural culture is medium.

You can plant grapes in autumn or spring. The choice depends on the climatic conditions of a particular region. The plant is planted in the spring in areas with warm climates. Work begins only when the ground warms up to +10 degrees. This option has a significant advantage over the fall planting. The bushes will have time to gain a foothold in a new place over the summer.

The landing pit must be prepared in advance, about 2 weeks in advance. The depth should be enough to comfortably position the roots. The standard size is 80x80x80 centimeters. A layer of fertile soil is formed at the bottom. And also add nutritious top dressing. Organic compounds and fertilizers with minerals are great. On top of the nutrients, it is necessary to pour about 5 centimeters of ordinary soil so that the young roots do not suffer from the aggressive effects of fertilizers. The optimal distance between the pits is at least 2.5 meters.

Chardonnay flowers are bisexual. The plant is capable of pollinating on its own.

Pruning is one of the most important conditions for maintaining agricultural practices. Thickening of the crown leads to an overload of the shoots. This negatively affects not only the harvest, but also the health of the plant. 4 fruit links are left on one bush.

Horticultural crops do not tolerate excess moisture, and you need to periodically water the grapes. An insufficient amount of water leads to a slowdown in the growth of the vine and impairs fruiting. Only clean and settled water is suitable for irrigation. It is advisable to warm it up to room temperature.

Experts do not advise using cold water, as it has a bad effect on the immune system and can cause colds in grapes. At the end of autumn, watering should be stopped. At the same time, work begins on the preparation of garden culture for winter. Water the plant at the root. One bush uses from 5 to 20 liters, depending on the age of the bush.

During the growing season, the grapes give the accumulated strength and nutrients to the harvest. Therefore, the plant definitely needs feeding. In the spring, experts use organic matter such as chicken manure or cow dung. The fertilizer is diluted in water before application. During flowering, grapes, more than ever, need potassium compounds and phosphorus. When the berries are harvested, you should feed the plant with organic matter or mineral composition.

The plant can withstand frosts up to 22 degrees below zero.If the vineyard is located in the southern region, it will calmly endure the winter frosts. At the same time, the variety has a high sensitivity to spring temperature drops. To preserve the fruit crop, it is imperative to cover the plant for the winter.

This variety has low resistance to common diseases such as mildew and powdery mildew. Preventive treatment will be helpful. On the market you can find ready-made formulations suitable for protecting grapes from infections. With an excessive amount of precipitation, the fruits begin to rot.

The timing of harvesting fruits depends significantly on the weather conditions of each region. On the territory of the Krasnodar Territory and within the borders of the neighboring regions, berries begin to be harvested in early or mid-September. Experienced gardeners say that a ripe crop must be harvested immediately, otherwise the berries begin to crumble and may become moldy. And also they can lose their shape and become covered with cracks.

Grapes cannot be stored for a long time. The collected fruits are processed almost immediately.