Riesling: rules for planting and caring for a popular variety

"Riesling" - a grape variety grown for the production of white wines. This variety is one of the most popular among such as "Chardonnay" and "Sauvignon". Using grapes of this variety, get high quality wines produced. This quality provides him with a high rating among all other grape varieties. Synonyms "Riesling": "White Riesling", "Rhine Riesling", "Riesling Johannisberg", "Johanisberger", "Weiser", "White", "Moselle", "Rhine", "Rislinok".

In this article, we learn what kind of grape it is and what wine is called "Riesling".

Wine and grapes: the history of breeding

The first references to "Riesling" are found in the poem "Moselle" by the ancient Roman poet Magna Ausonia, in which he mentioned Moselle-crowned gorges along the Rhine River. In the XV century, the first six seedlings of this variety were planted near the walls of the Russelheim Castle.And winemakers believe that the first varieties were bred back in 843 in the time of Louis II Le Germain, who at that time owned German lands.

Planted for his rule along the river of the Rhine Valley grapes called Reisen (translated from German means "autumn").

Initially, the wine of this variety is not popular. Fame brought a lucky break. According to legend, the messenger who brought permission to harvest the grapes got lost and arrived two weeks later.

By then, the grapes had already ripened and were covered with mold. Having made a wine out of such over-ripe grapes, wine-makers discovered that when overriding berries it becomes much sweeter and tastier. The enterprising abbot Fulda, who bought and restored the ruins of the Johannisberg monastery and his abandoned vineyards, finally restored the reputation of Riesling. Thanks to the abbot, this grape has become the most popular in the country. Gradually, the fame of him reached Europe.

The popularity of Riesling was also reflected in the fact that local winemakers, trying to create an analogue, planted the Muller-Thurgau grape variety instead. The wine eventually turned out tasteless and very poor quality.

The nature helped this wine. Thus, in one of the frosty winters, the entire Muller-Thurgau variety became extinct and a real Riesling was planted to replace it, capable of spending the winter harsh winter. The main variety of vineyards in Alsace "Riesling" became after 1960.

Consider a detailed description of the grapes "Riesling", a description of the variety and its photo.

Varietal characteristics

Varietal characteristics of grapes allow berries to gain maximum weight. The growing season is 130-150 days in the absence of strong temperature differences.

Bush

Bush srednerosly with a corresponding increase in the maturation of the vine.

Leaves are five-lobed, thick, with jagged edges of medium size, slightly lowered, with a shallow dissection of light green color (young leaves of a bronze shade). Their upper part is wrinkled. The leaves bloom late, but this property provides frost resistance to riesing. The petiole is open, pink shade.

The young shoots of the bush are thin, spreading, green in color and covered with slight pubescence.

Riesling flowers of both sexes are prone to falling off, which subsequently affects the yield. After their flowering, a small tight bunch with small green berries is formed.

The vine is a one-year, small, cylindrical light brown color on a short woody stem. Length - 8-14 cm, in width no more than 8.

Berries

The berries are small (1.5 cm in diameter), round, greenish-white or yellow in color, at the time of ripening with characteristic patches of dark brown color on the skin. The skin is thin, but durable. Berry contains 2-4 seeds.

The flesh is juicy, sweet, rich taste.

Sugar content is on average 20%, acidity is up to 10-11 g / l. Harvest maturity occurs after 5-6 months.

Features of growing

The duration of the life cycle and the optimal yield depend on the conditions and characteristics of growing "Riesling".

An important feature of its cultivation is that, growing it in hot climatic conditions, all the taste qualities of berries and wine are lost. The good quality of this grape is influenced by the cool climate, which provides it with a long growing season.

Lighting

Illumination is the basic rule for good development and its fruiting. "Riesling" does not like too shaded places, but excessive heat is contraindicated to it. He does not like excessive heat and prefers moderate heat, light and cold nights during the day.

Soil requirements

Riesling loves calcareous and not very fertile lands. This stimulates the clusters to accumulate a maximum of minerals and trace elements. He is very picky about moisture. He likes not swampy, moderately moist, well-ventilated soil.

Riesling can grow on the poorest soils, but this directly affects its productivity.

The ideal place for him is rocky slopes.

Landing rules

Planting grapes is a long process that requires special attention.It is produced on open sunny terrain. The time for planting is chosen in spring or autumn.

The main condition is that the air temperature is not lower than 10 ° C of frost and not higher than 15 ° C of heat.

Having chosen a site, landing is made by linear rows at a distance of at least 3 meters from each other. Such planting will provide the future of grapes with enough room for growth.

The earth is prepared in two ways:

1. A trench is dug 60-70 cm deep.
2. A planting pit of the same depth is dug, not less than 60 cm in diameter.

Planting material can be: seedlings, seedlings (green cuttings) or cuttings.

Good planting material in height not less than 20 cm, has 3-4 wet roots and 4-5 buds on the upper shoot.

When planting, the root system needs to be slightly updated (cut off) and dipped in a growth stimulator solution (Fumar, Heteroauxin, Succinic Acid). Planting is done in this order:

• a layer of fertilized earth is poured into the excavated pit (10-15 cm);
• on the formed mound, straightening the root system, put a sapling;
• until the middle of the pit, the fertilized soil is poured in and lightly trampled down;
• pit a little watered with warm water;
• when the ground dries, the pit falls asleep completely.

Water the grapes should be twice every 2 weeks. In the autumn watering can not carry out if the weather is wet and rainy.

Proper planting will ensure strong development and good fruiting in the future.

Grade Care

The basis of the next year's harvest is the proper care of this year's vine, which consists in the proper watering, fertilization of the soil, timely pruning and removal of weeds.

This will allow her matured "eyes" and wintering, and give life to future shoots.

Watering

Periodic moderate watering is carried out only on young saplings under the age of two years and stops two weeks before flowering. In our temperate climate, frequent watering is not expected, but during dry seasons it is worthwhile to moderately and evenly moisten the soil (no more than four times per season). Watering should be abandoned for the period of flowering and during the period of intensive growth of shoots.

Fertilizer

When rooting seedlings of grapes, it is allowed to periodically loosen the soil and feed it with mineral fertilizers purchased at any garden store.

That feeding, which was made in the process of planting and after it, is enough for the next two years.

After 3-4 years, in the period of full and stable fruiting, additional feeding is carried out, otherwise there will not be a good grape harvest.

Pruning

To increase the branching of the grapes, each next spring, several buds are pruned from strong young branches. Pruning must be done necessarily, otherwise the bushes will grow strongly, and the berries will be very small.

When pruning, the vine is given a specific and convenient form for caring for it and shelter for the winter (if the shelter is planned).

The process of pruning and molding is repeated for 3-6 years until the bush acquires its optimal shape. In subsequent years, pruning is only in the removal of one-year or weak gains.

Weed removal and soil care

Soil care is an important component of good grape growth and development. Good, moist and loosened soil is a major factor in the activity of beneficial soil microflora, and subsequently - enriching the earth with nutrients.

The soil throughout the spring-fall season should be systematically processed, and all weeds should be removed immediately.

Caring for the soil in the summer period involves the usual loosening of the earth. In spring and autumn, deep digging is necessary, during which mineral and organic fertilizers are also introduced into the soil. A good way to preserve the quality of the land and ensure the absence of weeds in grapes older than four years is zaluzhenie (sodding). Fudging involves planting such herbs in between rows, such as fescue, clover, mustard, ryegrass, alfalfa.

This method will allow to preserve the fertile layer of soil and will serve as its protection during weathering. But it requires systematic grass mowing.

Do I need to cover the grapes for the winter

Riesling does not like heat, prefers a harsh climate and matures even in frosty weather. Also on its frost resistance affects the quality of the landing.

If all the preparatory work, planting and caring for the grapes are done correctly, then the plant grows strong and is able to survive the harsh winter even without significant damage.

The cultivation of grapes by covering and non-covering for the winter is performed in the following way:

1. A stem with a height of 1.2 meters is constructed for an uncovered grape. Young saplings have their own stumps in a year. The stab method is based on the regulation of buds and branches. In the process of growth, it is important to monitor the state of the stump: it must be vertical without any bends. When bending, the trunk is tied to a peg to ensure strictly vertical growth.
2. For the covering grapes, the no-stem fan method is used with the construction of 3-4 sleeves 40-60 cm long. The fan method involves the formation of several fruit links on a vertical trellis (vertical garter on the installed supports).With this method of growing the maximum load on the plant - no more than 30 shoots. Moreover, with the growing method, any risk of frost damage to the grapes is reduced.

Under the influence of frost, its berries acquire their natural sweetness. And due to his late ripening, he easily endures even the spring frosts.

Diseases and pests of the variety

Not resistant to diseases such as bacterial cancer, oidium (powdery mildew), gray rot (kagatnaya rot).

More resistant to mildew fungal disease.

Botrytis cinerea is a mold fungus that acts beneficially on Riesling berries. Thanks to him, the percentage of moisture in berries decreases, while the amount of minerals and sugars increases. It is also not resistant to pests of phylloxera and grapevine leaflets. Also spider grapes attack mite, red fruit mite (leaf grape mite) and grape thrips.

Prevention is considered to be a successful protection of grapes from pests and diseases. Preventive measures are: active care of the soil and its fertilizer, timely pruning and watering, as well as special protective measures.

This includes any spraying with compounds of iron, sulfur and other fungicides or watering under the root with a solution of "Fundazole", bought in the store.

Timely protective measures also make the vineyard area impregnable for pathogens and pests. The most important rule is that vineyards should not be broken up in unsuitable, wet and cramped areas, with poor airing, contributing to these diseases.

Types of Riesling

Riesling is unique in its kind, and the degree of ripeness of berries affects its species.

So, Rieslings are divided into the following types:

• Kabinett ("cabinet") - light semi-dry dry or semi-sweet wine from unripe grapes of the main crop, alcohol content - not more than 8-10%;
• Spätlese ("spatleze") - dry wine from already ripe berries 12-14 days after picking berries for Kabinett, alcohol content - 9-11%;
• Auslese ("auslese") is a wine of selective hand-picking of ripened berries harvested after collecting Spätlese. It can be both dry and sweet dessert, the alcohol content is not less than 10-15%;
• Beerenauslese ("berenauslese") - a sweet wine from overripe and already withered Botrytis cinerea (botrytised) grapes with a sugar content of at least 29%;
• Eiswein (Eiswein) is a sweet wine made from frozen berries harvested at -7 ° C. Thanks to ice-bound water, high sugar levels are achieved;
• Trockenbeerenauslese ("Trokenberenauslese") is a sweet dessert wine made from fully botrized berries, the sugar content is above 36%.

Depending on the maturity of the grapes, the wine acquires different shades and aromas, which also affects its aftertaste.So, with age, "Riesling" can give as notes of honey, peach and apple, and oil notes. But it does not appear on its quality and reputation.

Summarize can be very short. Riesling is so unique and elite botrizing wine that it will be a wonderful decoration of any feast.