Garnacha grape variety: description and taste, cultivation and care with photo

The Garnacha grape variety has become widespread due to its universal use not only in the vineyard, but also in winemaking. The plant is strong, grows well in dry and windy areas. Harvest is used to produce high quality wines. When grown in regions with a hot climate, high-alcohol wine is obtained from grapes. In Spain, the variety is called - Garnacha, and in France - Grenache.

History of variety selection

The exact origin of the variety is unknown. Some scientists suggest that the homeland is Catalonia. Then the plant spread to other areas of Spain and moved to the south of France.

At the same time, the inhabitants of Sardinia believe that it was they who had this variety, known in Italy as Grenacha. And in the 14th century, during the occupation of the island by the Aragons, the plant was transported to Spain.

Description of Garnacha grapes

Grenache belongs to the technical varieties intended for the production of rosé and red wines.

Variety description:

• high yield;
• heat-loving, drought tolerant;
• greatly takes root on dry soils;
• grows in windy places;
• with excess moisture, powdery mildew develops and aphids multiply;
• refers to late ripening varieties;
• heavy.

Plant cultivated in:

• France;
• Spain;
• North Africa;
• southern Italy;
• California.

The most commonly grown red grapes are used to make wine. The white variety Grenache Blanc is less common. It is intended for the production of table white wine and for fresh consumption.

Wines from Garnacha are endowed with fruity tones, and the taste has a slight sourness.

What are the advantages and disadvantages

Variety Benefits:

• high yield;
• tolerates drought;
• unpretentiousness to soils;
• vine endurance;
• take root in dry soil;
• strong root system;
• suitable for wine production.

Flaws:

• does not like humidity, diseases develop with excess moisture;
• does not tolerate frost, withstands up to -18 degrees;
• low disease resistance.

The crop has a long growing season, so the berries often fall off in an unripe state. But for winemakers, this is a positive quality, since the remaining fruits absorb all the most valuable things, which significantly affects the taste of wine.

Distinguishing Features

Main varietal characteristics:

• medium-sized leaves with sharp teeth;
• bush vigorous;
• fruit skin is dense and thick;
• berries are medium with a pink-purple hue;
• average stepchildren;
• vine is hardy and matures well;
• cone-shaped clusters;
• strong root system allows you to rarely water the plant;
• blooms early;
• berries are high in sugar.

With a bountiful harvest, the quality of the fruit is significantly reduced. With an average yield, the grapes have the best taste.

Terms of planting and ripening

For planting, choose the most illuminated place, as the culture requires a lot of sunlight. Drop off:

• in the spring;
• in autumn.

For planting, the soil under the plant needs dry, between the vines keep a distance of one and a half meters.

The bush blooms early, but the growing season is long. Therefore, the ripening period is late.

Care instructions

The most important year for growth is the first. Proper care will help the culture take root and, as a result, bring a good harvest. To do this, follow the recommendations:

• A planted plant will need support, which is increased along with the growth of the grapes.
• The earth is constantly weeded and loosened.
• Rarely watered. Excessive watering harms the plant.
• Be sure to carry out autumn pruning. The procedure is carried out after the movement of the juice in the plant is over. Only the lower shoots are pruned, which gives the plant a fan shape.
• Regularly inspect the leaves. This procedure will help to notice the occurrence of diseases in time and take the necessary measures.

If the recommendations are followed, the culture will delight in a bountiful harvest of delicious fruits.

Methods of reproduction

At home, an effective method of propagation is cuttings. To do this:

1. In the spring, cuttings are cut with a sharp blade. The procedure is carried out before flowering.
2. Shank thickness - 0.01 m, length - 0.4 m. There should be 4 buds on the handle.
3. The workpiece is placed in warm water for a day.
4. Cut into two parts, leaving two kidneys on each.
5. A slanted incision is made at the bottom of the workpiece and planted in a pot.
6. In the autumn they are transplanted to a permanent place.

This method has a high survival rate and preserves varietal qualities.

Disease and pest prevention

The vine is protected from excess moisture on the surface and underground. Overwatering results in:

• powdery mildew:
• aphid breeding.

For prevention, the plant is treated with fungicides.

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