Cabernet Sauvignon grapes: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation and planting

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown in most cases for winemaking. Gardeners note many positive aspects of all varieties of this variety. Dark blue berries of small size, round shape. To obtain a numerous and high-quality harvest, it is necessary to select seedlings and plant them correctly. Care in each season has its own characteristics.

History of Breeding

The variety first became known in France over 300 years ago by combining two varieties of grapes with fruits of different colors - white Sauvignon and red-black Cabernet Franc. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon hybrid that has the best characteristics.

Variety description

White and dark blue Cabernet Sauvignon begins to ripen late, in mid-October. If the berries are intended to make table wine, then 145 days are enough for ripening. For the manufacture of dessert wine, the crop is harvested later, after 165 days. The plant forms a strongly spreading bush, which is most often formed with a main strong trunk and hanging shoots. After planting, fruiting begins after 4 years.

The description indicates that the leaves are round in shape with reddish, coarsely carved edges. Long, cone-shaped clusters of berries up to 16 cm long are formed on the branches.

The berries are small, no more than 16 mm in diameter, weight 3 g. The color of the dense skin is dark gray, the berries are covered with a wax layer on top. Inside 2-3 bones. The berries taste juicy, tart-sweet.

What are the benefits

The main advantage of the variety, according to experienced gardeners, is considered to be minimal care.

Other benefits of grapes include:

• variety tolerates drought and low temperatures;
• the plant is resistant to waterlogging of the soil;
• good resistance to infections and pests;
• forms a consistently high yield;
• based on sweet berries make juices and wines;
• berries do not crack even if overripe;
• quickly adapts to changes in the external environment.

If the grapes are properly cared for, then there will be no flaws. The numerous number of berries in the bunch leads to the fact that some of them begin to crumble. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to carry out timely pruning of shoots and leaves, as well as tie the vine to a support.

Diversity of species

Cabernet grapes, in addition to Sauvignon, include many other varieties:

• The black Franc grape is the progenitor of Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripens early, average yield. The dense skin of dark blue berries is covered with a wax layer.
• Northern Cabernet grapes begin to ripen in early autumn, forming compact clusters weighing up to 90 g. The bushes themselves are compact, low. The berries are small with a small layer of plaque. The variety is frost-resistant (up to -28 degrees).
• Cortis variety obtained in Germany by combining Cabernet Sauvignon and Merzling species. Distinctive features are considered to be early ripening numbers, the annual formation of a high yield and resistance to diseases. Blue berries are covered with a waxy layer.
• The Yura variety is bred in Switzerland, has medium-early ripening limits, good immunity. The berries are dark blue with a purple bloom.
• Cabernet Carbon variety is characterized by medium late ripening of berries, the bunch is small, weighs 95 g. The berries are small in size and have a rounded shape.
• Cabernet Michurinsky grapes begin to ripen early, small clusters. It is characterized by the formation of numerous crops, frost resistance and good resistance to diseases. Withstands frosts down to -29 degrees.
• Dorsa grapes begin to ripen in September, the yield is average, bunches are formed every year.
• Karol variety is distinguished by medium ripening limits of sweet berries and high yield. Flowering begins much later than other Cabernet varieties, so flowers do not catch spring frosts.

Before making a choice in favor of a particular variety, you need to get acquainted with the characteristics. It is important to take into account the climatic features of the region in which grapes are supposed to be grown.

Distinguishing Features

Characterization of the variety will determine the distinctive features:

• Seedlings grow fast.
• Leaves have a red border.
• Berries can be recognized by their round shape and dark blue color.
• A bunch of grapes weighs approximately 75g
• Ripe berries smell like currants.

These features will help you recognize the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety.

Tips for choosing seedlings

You should buy seedlings from trusted sellers. When choosing, it is important to consider several features:

• If the roots of the seedling are too dry, then they will not take root well in a new place.
• It is better to buy seedlings immediately before planting in the ground, as they are poorly stored.
• A seedling bought in autumn should have a minimum number of leaves. If there are a lot of them, then it is likely that the seedling has lost a lot of moisture.

The following signs testify to a he althy and high-quality seedling:

• root branches look light and moist;
• when trying to bend the vine, cracks and signs of brittleness should not appear;
• buds are strong, fit snugly to the branches and do not crumble at the slightest touch;
• the vaccination site is clearly visible.

For reliability, the seller is asked to cut off a small part of the bark. If juice appears and a green inside appears, then the plant is he althy and fresh. If the seller does not agree to conduct such testing, you can doubt the quality of the purchased products.

Fitting advice

Seedlings are planted either in autumn or spring. Each season is characterized by positive aspects and disadvantages. If you plant grapes in the spring, you can be sure that frosts will not interfere with the development of the seedling. But it is difficult to store the plant all winter. Therefore, gardeners prefer to plant fruit shrubs in the fall.

In the autumn, they start planting long before the expected winter frosts, so that the roots can adapt and gain strength. Grapes are best planted in rows, every 3 meters. The soil must have enough nutrients.

The landing area should be well lit and ventilated. It is better to plant on the south side of the buildings that are on the site. This will help protect the plant from the northern cold winds.

Caring for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon is easy to care for. It is unpretentious and rarely exposed to pests or infections. Standard care includes the following items.

Irrigation

Young grape seedlings at the beginning of the growing season in spring require frequent and abundant watering. The soil should not be dry or too wet. For irrigation use warm, settled water. The next watering is carried out before flowering. Then water immediately after the end of the flowering period. Moisturize for the last time before winter. Mature shrubs are watered even less frequently.

Feeding

Fertilization is carried out correctly, observing the recommended dosages. An excess, as well as a lack of nutrients, leads to a slowdown in development and a decrease in yield.

Even before planting, it is recommended to apply organic or mineral fertilizers to the soil (apply chicken manure, manure, peat, ammonium nitrate, wood ash). The stock of these components will be enough for the next few years. In the middle of spring, along with irrigation, it is necessary to enrich the soil with potash, nitrogen and phosphorus components.Fertilizer is applied to a special groove that is dug around the trunk.

Formation

Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety needs pruning, which will unload the vine and increase the number of harvests. It is best to prune branches in the fall, when sap flow stops. In this case, the cut site is tightened faster, and the risk of infection is reduced. If it is wrong to carry out spring pruning, then a tear appears at the place of the cut, which flows down to the kidneys. As a result, kidney development stops.

In the event that it was not possible to carry out autumn pruning, it is better to postpone the procedure to early spring, when the snow is just beginning to melt. At the same time, dry and damaged branches should be removed. In the summer months, pinching is carried out, removing damaged or extra branches and leaves. This will allow heat and sunlight to reach all parts of the plant.

Methods of propagation of the variety

The grape variety Cabernet Sauvignon is propagated by cuttings. Rules to follow:

• shoots are cut 48 cm long;
• each cutting must have at least four developed buds;
• each shoot is stripped of leaves;
• put in a bucket of water for 20 hours;
• then treated with disinfectant solutions (suitable, for example, copper sulfate).

Cut cuttings intended for planting should be stored in a dark place, it is allowed to dig them into the ground.

Diseases and pests

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes rarely get sick and are attacked by insect pests. But it does not hurt to take preventive measures:

• Among the frequent pests of grapes there are spider and grape mites, grape leafworm.
• Of the diseases, grapes most often affect rot, anthracnose, mildew, bacteriosis, chlorosis.

The treatment procedure is recommended to be carried out immediately after the end of winter, giving preference to natural-based formulations.

Growing regions

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety loves warmth, so they are grown in Australia, Argentina, Italy, Kazakhstan, Romania, Ukraine, France. Since the berries begin to sing late (after 155 days), this variety is not suitable for growing in any regions of Russia.

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