Grape variety Carmenere: description and characteristics, history, cultivation and care

Many summer residents grow grape bushes in order to make homemade wine after harvest. But not every variety is suitable for making wine. One of the popular varieties is the Carmenère grape.

Description of the Carmenère grape variety

Before purchasing a Carmenère vine, you should study all the characteristics of the variety so as not to make a mistake in choosing. First of all, they pay attention to the characteristics of the bush, the characteristics of the vine and bunch.

Historical background

For the first time in the 19th century, French winemakers began to grow Carménère. But grapes were often affected by powdery mildew and phylloxera. Because of this, it was replaced by more resistant varieties. A few decades later, Chilean winemakers began to grow the hybrid. In Chile, the plant has taken root well and is still very popular.

Features of the bush

A distinctive feature of the bush is the speed of growth of the vine. A few years after planting, if you do not cut the vine, the plant will flood the entire area. The leaves of the plant are light green in color. The shape is common, characteristic of most varieties, they are hairless, densely covering the entire vine.

Vine

As mentioned earlier, the vine grows rapidly. Bushes in height can reach 2 m. The shape of the plant is sprawling. This variety requires regular pruning to prevent thickening of plantings.The vine is dark brown in color and capable of making powerful hedges. The inflorescences of the variety are bisexual and do not need additional pollination.

Bunch

The brushes are small or small in size. The shape is conical. There are many clusters on the vine. The weight of one bunch reaches 200 g.

Grapes are characterized by a rounded shape, the skin is a rich blue-black color.

The skin has a velvety texture. Grapes are juicy. On average, the weight of a berry is 7-12 g. The grape grows up to 4 cm in length. The flesh is slimy and fleshy with a pleasant aftertaste. There is an herbal aroma at the end.

Features

Another important point that is paid attention to before buying a grape seedling is the study of the characteristics of the selected variety. First of all, you should pay attention to the yield, pollination, ripening time of the variety.

Yields

The yield of the Carmenère hybrid is always stable. Up to 21 kg are harvested annually from a bush. The brushes come in different weights. The minimum weight of a bunch is 700 g. The maximum weight is about 2 kg.

Ripening dates

Carmenere is an early ripe variety. The first crop is harvested 110-130 days after the appearance of the ovaries on the vine. The crop begins to ripen from the second decade of August until the last days of October. At the beginning of the ripening period, the clusters are red-burgundy. As they mature, they turn black and blue.

Berry properties

Studying the palatability is very important before purchasing a plant seedling. Attention is paid to the taste of grapes, caloric content and acidity of fruits. It is also important to study the he alth benefits and harms of berries.

Taste

Grapes with a pleasant sweet taste. The pulp has a pleasant nightshade flavor with a high content of juice. Sometimes there is a slight sourness.

Calorie and acidity

Sugar in fruit is high at 17-25%. The acidity level is 6-8 g/l. The calorie content of 100 g of the product is 75 kcal. Due to the high sugar content in berries, grapes are considered high-calorie foods.

The benefits and harms of drinking

Useful properties of grapes:

• Has a positive effect on the lungs.
• Supports metabolism due to its high fiber content.
• Naturates the blood with nitrogen.
• Eliminates constipation.
• Helps lower blood pressure.
• Removes toxins and harmful substances from the body.
• Helps increase the formation of red blood cells in the blood.
• Protects the body from radicals.
• Increases libido.

The use of grapes can cause harm to the body if a person has an intolerance to the product. It is undesirable to include berries in food for those people who suffer from high acidity and diabetes. Children are not recommended to give red varieties.

Planting a seedling

During the procedure, special attention is paid to the preparation of the site, the timing of planting and the technology of planting a seedling in the soil.

Preparing the landing site

Carmenere variety should be planted in open sunny areas. The more time the plant spends in the sun, the better it will affect the yield:

• The pit is dug to a depth of at least 80 cm. Drainage (pebbles, scrap bricks or small gravel) is poured into the bottom of the pit.
• Then the pit is covered with a mixture of crushed stone, crushed stone and fertile soil.
• To deoxidize the soil, add 1 tbsp. l. dolomite flour or eggshell.
• Black soil is covered with the last layer.
• You need to fill the hole gradually, each layer is poured abundantly with water.

At the end of the preparation of the pit, two metal pipes are driven in next to each other, then a strong wire is tied to them.

When to plant

You can plant grape seedlings at any time when it is warm. The vine is planted both in early spring and autumn. But among gardeners there is an opinion that spring is considered the most favorable time for planting. Seedlings planted in spring will have time to take root before autumn and will be able to overwinter.

Disembarkation: what's what

After the pit is ready, start planting a seedling. Stages of planting varieties Carmenere:

• Dig a small hole in the soil.
• Put the seedling and straighten the roots.
• Fill with soil.
• Lightly tamp the soil near the stem.

At the end of planting, pour plenty of warm water over the vine. Subsequent waterings are carried out once every two weeks.

Agriculture and care

Without care, it is impossible to get a good harvest. Grape care includes watering, fertilizing and pruning.

Pruning bushes

In the spring, formative pruning is carried out. Two central shoots are left on the vine. As the bush grows, up to 3 stems are left on each of the shoots. The rest is cut off.Due to the fact that the Carmenere variety grows quickly, it has to be cut often so as not to thicken the plantings. The stems are removed with sharp garden shears so that no creases remain.

Irrigation and fertilization

Irrigation and fertilization are carried out at the same time. In the first half of the season, the bushes need nitrogen. In the second half of the season after fruiting - in phosphorus and potassium. Also make manure, ash, mullein. The first watering is carried out during the period of bud formation, the second - during flowering. The third time after the harvest and the last time before the onset of cold weather.

Preventive measures to prevent diseases

The bushes are regularly inspected in order to notice the disease in time and take action. As preventive procedures, plants are sprayed with fungicides, Bordeaux liquid, Karbofos, or a solution of laundry soap.

Harvest and storage of crops

Clusters are cut with sharp secateurs so as not to damage the vine. The harvested crop is stored at a temperature of 0 … +2 degrees. Humidity in the room should be at least 80%. Clusters are stored in a darkened room, bright light contributes to the loss of sugar content.

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