Rkatsiteli: grape variety and its description, characteristics and rules of care

Translated from the Georgian language, the name of the grape variety Rkatsiteli is translated as "red vine". The very name of the variety indicates that it comes from Georgia, or rather from the Kakheti region. Belongs to the group of technical wine-making varieties of the Black Sea basin, valued for its taste. Can be grown in any region with a suitable climate, the berries do not lose their delicious aroma, but the taste is usually slightly sour.

History of selection. Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Rkatsiteli variety is valuable and has a very long history.It is also known under such names as Poplar, Budashuri, Mamali, Kakura. The inhabitants of Georgia have been growing it for several millennia. The culture has not lost its popularity even today. Together with another common variety - Saperavi - Rkatsiteli grows in large areas in Kakheti and other regions.

The variety used for making wine and juice has the following characteristics:

Has larger berries and clusters than other industrial grape varieties.
Easy to care for.
It has good taste, delicate bouquet of aromas, which is important in the production of wine.
The berries are high in sugar content.
The variety shows resistance to gray rot and other diseases.
Responds favorably to irrigation.

Along with positive qualities, Rkatsiteli has disadvantages:

Does not produce bountiful harvests on unsuitable lands.
Requires constant preventive measures to protect against oidium.

Biological Description

Rkatsiteli grape bushes are vigorous. Mature plants acquire a pyramidal shape. Young shoots are upright, distinguished by a characteristic reddish-yellow color. The root system is powerful, goes into the soil to a depth of about 3 meters.

Ripe bunches are loose, they are cylindrical in shape. Unlike other technical varieties, they are of medium size, weigh, on average, 170 grams, their length is up to 17 centimeters. The berries are amber-yellow in color, with small brownish patches, juicy pulp and thin skin. Their shape is oval and rounded.

Vine

Vine grows to a height of over 3 meters, has a characteristic flexible stem. Grows fast and matures well. The number of fruiting shoots on it varies from 20% to 70%. The leaves sit on a long petiole, are five-lobed or three-lobed, have medium and large sizes, bronze color. Flowers bisexual, form inflorescences. The ovaries are formed easily, as the variety is able to self-pollinate.

Yields

According to the experimental data of winegrowers, the minimum yield of the Rkatsiteli variety is 90 centners per hectare, on average, it is 150 centners per hectare. The yield level can vary significantly from year to year, depending on the number of fruiting shoots, climatic factors and other conditions.

Taste and he alth benefits of fruits

Berries have a slight tart taste. But due to the large amount of minerals and vitamins, they have healing properties, improve the functioning of the digestive system.

One of the distinguishing features of the Rkatsiteli variety is its high sugar content. This means that even a small amount of berries can satisfy hunger and restore energy reserves.

Calories

A kilogram of grapes contains 170-250 grams of glucose. The calorie content of Rkatsiteli is 60 kilocalories per 100 grams. Compared to other varieties, this figure is low. For example, the calorie content of Kishmish is 90 kilocalories.

Acidity

The acidity of the juice from the berries of this variety is 7-9 grams per liter. This parameter may fluctuate during the growing season, it depends on weather conditions.

Resistant to frost and diseases

Rkatsiteli is a hardy crop. Bushes not covered for the winter are damaged only if the air temperature drops below -25 ^{С. In addition, the variety demonstrates resistance to diseases and pests: gray rot, phylloxera, mildew.}

Growing region

Cultivation of grapes, including on an industrial scale, is carried out in regions with a mild warm climate. The culture is actively grown in the southern and middle zones of viticulture, namely: in Georgia, the Crimea, the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, on the territory of the republics of Chechnya and Dagestan.

Planting grapes

Grapes are a perennial plant, so the place to plant it must be chosen very carefully. Productivity, taste, and longevity of plants depend on this.

Optimal timing

Rkatsiteli propagated by grafted seedlings or chibouks. Depending on the method of reproduction, the timing is chosen. Only the spring months are suitable for chibouks, while grafted seedlings are planted not only in spring, but also in autumn - from October to November. Establishment of vineyards and plantings mainly fall in early spring, when the soil warms up to 6-8 ^C.

Required soil composition

Rkatsiteli variety is unpretentious to growing conditions. However, it requires a certain soil structure. Well-moistened loam or sandy loam are considered preferred. In regions with a hot climate, the northern slopes are taken away for planting so that the berries do not ripen too quickly.

Depth and width of hole

Before planting seedlings, marking of planting pits is mandatory. The row spacing should be 3-3.5 meters, and the distance between the bushes should be from 2 meters or more. The pits are dug large, cubic in shape, so that their depth, width and length are 0.8 meters.

Technology for planting and caring for young seedlings

The bottom of the prepared pits is covered with drainage, on top - a layer of fertile soil, fertilizers, and another layer of soil about 10 centimeters thick.As a rule, organic matter, wood ash and nitroammophoska are used for top dressing. The seedlings are lowered into the holes, carefully straightening the root system. Fill the hole with soil, compact it slightly, water it.

When cultivating young grapes, the direction of the arrows is monitored to prevent lack of lighting. They are placed in a horizontal direction. Up to 30 fruiting shoots are left on each bush.

Features of agricultural technology

The correctness and timeliness of agricultural practices allows winegrowers to maintain high yields and quality of berries.

Irrigation

The Rkatsiteli variety requires sufficient moisture, especially during dry periods. To do this, a groove is laid around each bush and 20 liters of water are poured into it. If the plants are deficient in moisture, then the vegetative period slows down significantly, and with it the rate of ripening of the grapes.

Protection from diseases and pests

The main threat to the plant are spider mites and leafworms. The first live on the lower surface of the leaves, destroying them. The appearance of this pest affects the sugar content in fruits.

Leaflet is a motley butterfly whose caterpillars damage ovaries and berries, destroying most of the crop. To prevent this, regular inspection of the vine for signs of disease, cleaning and burning of old bark, spraying plants with special means is required.

Cutting

For the Rkatsiteli grape variety, long pruning is used, leaving 30 fruit-bearing shoots with 50-60 eyes on each plant. Perform this procedure in the spring. And to protect against excessive load, they carry out fragmentation and pinching, tying up the vine.

Preparing for wintering

Culture does not need shelter during frost. It grows in regions with mild winters, where the minimum air temperature at this time is about -15 ^{С. The Rkatsiteli variety is resistant to such frosts.}

Starting fruiting and harvesting

Culture is late. Its growing season is 155-160 days. About 5 months pass between the moment when the buds open and the ripening of the berries. The first grapes of this variety are harvested in mid-September. Collection continues in October.

Use in cooking and winemaking

Rkatsiteli grapes are a universal variety. It is also used as a raw material for winemaking, juice production, and as the basis for a variety of desserts. White, rose wine, brandy, cognac, port - all these drinks are made from this variety.

It is believed that the best-tasting wine comes from grapes harvested in mid-October.

Berries are often used in cooking, they can be eaten fresh or harvested for the winter in the form of jams, preserves, compotes.

The variety is distinguished by a high degree of safety during transportation. Together with valuable taste qualities, this makes it attractive to true connoisseurs of quality grapes.