Airen grape variety: description and characteristics, planting and care, taste features

Most recently, grapes were grown only in the southern regions. Today it is cultivated everywhere. Among the most common types are technical varieties used for the preparation of juices, wine and other products. Airen grapes are not popular among amateur gardeners. At the same time, it is the world leader in terms of footprint and is the basis for creating table wines.

History

The Airen grape has been known since the 17th century when it was called Airen. Even then, wine was made from it, but according to reviews, it was not considered tasty.In 1807, two types of Lairen are described - known today as Airen and a table variety. In the future, the technical variety gradually spread throughout Spain and today occupies about 30% of the total area allotted for the vine.

Description and characteristics of Airen grapes

The variety belongs to white technical species. The plant is vigorous, with well-maturing vines. The leaves are three-lobed, the dissection is medium. Near the petiole there is a hollow in the form of a vault. The back side of the leaf is slightly pubescent. The vine flowers are bisexual. The cluster is large, highly branched, has the shape of a cylinder or cone, its density is medium. The berries are small, round, light (white or yellow). The pulp is loose, with a thin skin. The taste is harmonious, with a pleasant sourness.

The Airen grape is drought tolerant, easy to grow and care for.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Gardeners love the Airen variety and note its merits, including:

• undemanding to the composition of the soil on which it is grown;
• resistance to high temperatures and dry weather;
• high yield.

Disadvantages of the variety include:

• medium resistance to diseases and pests.

Cultivation

Despite the unpretentiousness of the Airen variety, you should carefully consider the rules for planting grapes. The success of rooting and development of the bush, its productivity, the quality of berries depend on their implementation.

Timing

Planting can be done in spring or autumn. Both options have their pros and cons.

Spring planting time starts in March and ends in mid-June. Specific dates depend on the region, climatic conditions. The optimum soil temperature for planting is +10 ⁰С, air - from +5 ⁰С to +15 ⁰С.

In autumn, Airen grapes are planted starting from the first days of October. Landing is not worth the hassle. In the spring, you should be in time before the onset of heat, and in the fall - before the arrival of frosts.

If a sharp drop in temperature occurs after planting the grapes, a reliable shelter is created for the seedling.

Choosing a seat

For planting grape variety Airen choose a place protected from the northern winds. A good option is the southwest or southeast side of the house, garage, protected from drafts.

You must not put the vine under the drain, otherwise the plant will get sick and die quickly.

When planting several bushes for the vineyard, an open sunny place is determined. It can be gentle or have a slight slope (about 10⁰) to the south.

Boarding process

Before planting, the seedling must be prepared, for which a series of actions must be performed:

1. Place the root system of the seedling in water for a day.
2. Cut the one-year shoot to a height of 4 eyes.
3. Remove the roots on the upper nodes, shorten the lower ones.
4. Treat the plant with a root stimulator.

When planting seedlings in rows, 3 m is left between them, between bushes - 2 m. Planting pits with a width, length and depth of 80 cm are prepared one and a half months before planting Airen grapes. You can dig one trench for all plants. Drainage is laid at its bottom, pipes for irrigation and top dressing are installed. The extracted soil is fertilized with manure, ash, mineral additives and stacked next to the future planting site. It is carried out according to the scheme:

1. A mound of prepared soil is poured into the bottom of a trench or pit.
2. The seedling is placed on top, the roots are straightened.
3. The "heel" is placed at a depth of 0.5 m.
4. Fill up the hole, compact the soil.
5. After shrinkage, fill up the ground, leaving a hole 25 cm deep.
6. Water abundantly and mulch the soil.
7. If necessary, shade the seedling or build a shelter from frost.

Nuances of plant care

The condition, quality and volume of the future harvest depend on how Airen grapes are cared for.

Irrigation Rules

The bushes are watered regularly - at least 4 times per season at a rate of 12-14 liters of water per bush.

Irrigation is considered optimal through pipes buried near each bush. Water and fertilizer flow through them directly to the roots.

Drip irrigation has its advantages and disadvantages. With it, it is possible to maintain constant humidity and prevent cracking of the berries. But in the presence of constant humidity, the upper roots develop excessively, which are subject to freezing in winter.

Feeding

If the soils on which Airen grapes are planted are poor, at least five top dressings per season should be carried out:

• in the spring, after the winter shelter is removed from the bushes;
• with the beginning of flowering plants;
• at the stage of berry formation;
• during the technical ripeness of grapes;
• in autumn, before winter shelter.

Fertilizer is applied in liquid form, powder, granules or using foliar top dressing on the leaves. They use organic and mineral fertilizers.

Pruning grapes

Grapes are pruned to form a bush, to remove diseased, unripe, damaged shoots.

Sanitary pruning is carried out in the fall. In the spring, a bush is formed and the branches that have not overwintered are removed. The procedure begins before the buds open, when the daytime air temperature reaches +10 ⁰С, and the threat of frost has passed. The weather should be sunny and calm. On the Airen grapes, the vines that bear fruit last season are removed, leaving about 6 strong shoots with a diameter of 8 mm.

Preparing for winter season

Several types of shelters are used to protect grapes:

• hilling with earth up to 20 cm high for young seedlings;
• semi-cover - protection of the root part with the help of agrofibre, straw;
• full shelter - removing the vines from the trellis and protecting with boxes, slate, film.

The type is chosen depending on the climatic conditions and the characteristics of winter in a particular region.

Diseases and pests

The most common fungal infections in grapes include:

• mildew;
• oidium;
• anthracnose;
• scab;
• black spotting.

Among viral diseases, the most common are:

• infectious chlorosis;
• leaf curl virus;
• short knot virus.

Insect pests are capable of transmitting diseases:

• spider mite;
• itch;
• phylloxera.

Harvest and storage of crops

Ayren grapes are productive even in dry years. Up to 6 kg of berries are harvested from one vine. They are used to make dry white wines, brandies and blended with highly colored varieties to give the wine a less intense color.

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