Muscat grapes: description of varieties and their characteristics, growing features with photos

There is an opinion that grape varieties from the Muscat group should be grown only by winemakers who have the opportunity to organize plantations in warm countries. This is due to the fact that grape crops belonging to this category are quite whimsical. But breeders have long developed varieties that can successfully germinate in a changeable cool climate. For example, in the cities of Central Russia.

Pros and Cons of Muscat Grapes

Many people have a sincere love for the unusual taste of Muscat grapes. Ripe fruits are very sugary, which is why they have a pronounced sweetness. Muscat has a multifaceted taste and aroma with notes of flowers, caramel, herbs, berries and, of course, musk.

They are suitable for making various wines. This is due to both the diversity of species and the fertility of most of them. With proper care, grapes can "occupy" the entire site and the territory adjacent to it. Accordingly, one of the main advantages is high fertility (on average, it is 50-60 centners of crop per 1 hectare of land).

Muscats contain phytoncides. These are biologically active substances that significantly inhibit the growth of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora in the intestine. It is curious that phytoncides are found not only in grapes, but also in onions, garlic, pine cones.

The main disadvantage of muscats is their whimsicality. This applies to classic non-hybrid varieties.

Muscat grape crops are warm and photophilous. They are recommended to be planted in a suitable climate and on elevated terrain. Therefore, such varieties are common in the Crimean, Moldovan and Georgian vineyards.But this does not mean that all varieties require special conditions. Scientists have developed hybrid varieties that can tolerate significant frosts, are resistant to common fungal diseases and gray mold.

The best varieties of muscat grapes - description and characteristics

Some varieties stand out from the rest. These include:

1. Black.
2. Pink.
3. Hamburgish.
4. Alexandrian.
5. Hungarian.
6. Incense (White).

They are the most famous and are used to make the best wines. There are also many varieties of Frankincense, Black and Rose grapes. They differ in their characteristics.

White Extra Early

White ultra-early Muscat grapes have the property of increased sugar accumulation. In ripe berries, the sugar content reaches 25-30%, which makes it possible to use this species for making sweet dessert wines.

General characteristics of the species:

• unsustainable to frost, dies at temperatures of -20 ° C and below;
• matures about 120 days, preferably planted in early spring;
• not resistant to common fungal diseases;
• average in fertility, from one hectare harvested from 50 centners of crops;
• berries are small (2-3 grams), like clusters (up to 500 grams);
• place of origin: Egypt or Arabia.

Muscat Shatilova

Muscat Shatilova is a hybrid variety of white grapes. This species is remarkable in that it was created specifically for growing in the Russian climate.That is, grapes are resistant to frost and temperature extremes, precipitation. It does not have to be planted on high ground. The variety is unpretentious, rarely gets sick and does not require frequent watering. Average fertility.

View description:

• ripening by the end of August-beginning of September;
• frost resistance above average (up to -30 ˚С);
• medium-sized berry (4-6 grams) and bunch (up to 1000 grams);
• sugar content - from 16 to 20%;
• place of origin: Russia.

Berries have a yellow-golden hue, light green veins. As a rule, they have a moderate musky smell and a sweet taste.

Black

Grapes Black Muscat, according to some sources, originated in the Crimea, at the end of the 19th century. It is still actively growing on this peninsula, as well as in the south of France.It is grown in a warm climate, on elevated surfaces of the earth (mainly on slopes). The main name of the black muscat: Kalyaba or Kayaba. This species is characterized by above-average yields, the fruitfulness of the shoots is more than 60%.

Variety description:

• medium-large milk mushrooms (up to 1000 grams), like berries (up to 10 grams);
• sugar content - up to 20%;
• frost resistance is low, light-loving is high;
• yield is, on average, 60 centners per 1 hectare;
• ripening takes 130 to 150 days;
• the species is resistant to fungal diseases, but susceptible to leafworm attacks;
• ripe berries are dark blue.

Caliaba is a sweet Muscat suitable for making dessert wines.

Hamburg Muscat

Hamburg Muscat is a dark grape variety. It first appeared in England, but is now distributed almost all over the world. This type of Muscat can be found in Ukraine, Moldova, France, Tunisia, Italy.

Characteristics of Hamburg Muscat grapes:

• heat-loving (dies at -19 °C);
• moderate light-loving (can be planted on a flat surface);
• high susceptibility to diseases, brittle comb;
• yield is unstable, can reach 70 centners per hectare, but usually fluctuates between 30-40 centners;
• fruits are medium-sized (2-4 grams), clusters are small (200-350 grams);
• shade of berries blue-violet, dark;
• sugar content - up to 22%.

The value of this grape lies in the fact that it produces quality wine with the right taste and aroma.

Holodrigs

Classic Golodrigi is a versatile Muscat grape named after a Ukrainian scientist and breeder with the corresponding surname. It was he who brought out this variety by crossing Magarach and the Queen. Holodrigi is highly resistant to drought and frost, fungal diseases and viruses. These grapes are high-yielding (up to 150 centners can be harvested from 1 hectare). It is trouble free, medium maturing (120-135 days) and suitable for growing in variable climates.

Characteristic variety:

• sugar content - up to 23%;
• frost resistance - up to -24 °C;
• average weight of a breast is 300 grams, one berry is 2-3 grams.

There are several varieties of this grape, among which the Memory Golodrigi variety is the most sugary. It contains 29% sugar.

Blau

The Blau grape is a noble Muscat that was bred in Switzerland. Classic red wines with a pronounced musky aroma are made from this species. In general, Blau is unpretentious, resistant to frost (up to -27 ° C) and fungal diseases. At the same time, it is often attacked by flying insects, in particular wasps. You can plant this variety anywhere, not necessarily on a slope or other hill. Blau requires careful care, watering and processing.

Berries have a rich dark blue hue, weigh, on average, 5-6 grams. The whole bunch usually does not exceed 500 grams in weight. The maturation of this Muscat lasts from 120 to 130 days.

Muscat Grapes by Category

Someone is interested in the most unpretentious varieties of muscats, while others - the most suitable for winemaking. In order to choose the best option for a particular case, you need to familiarize yourself with the representatives of each category.

Quick-ripening

The fastest maturing varieties include:

1. Muscat Amber - grapes ripen in 110-120 days. Not resistant to frost (dies at -20 ° C) and fungal diseases. Clusters are small (200-250 grams), berries are medium (2-3 grams). High-yielding - 80-90 centners of crop per hectare of land. The species is intended for cultivation in the Central Asian regions.
2. Donskoy - matures in 115-125 days. It is highly resistant to frost (down to -28 °C). Don Muscat - grapes with a pronounced nutmeg taste and smell. Clusters are small (up to 300 grams), like berries. The yield is average, about 50% of fruit-bearing shoots fall on one plant. Grapes are resistant to fungal diseases.
3. Muscat Red super-early - grapes ripening in 95-100 days. Usually it can be harvested as early as July. This variety is resistant to frost down to -26 ° C and to gray rot. Productivity is high (80-90 centners per hectare). Clusters weigh up to 350 grams, individual berries - 2-4 grams.
4. Summer - matures in 100-120 days. Differs in large berries (8-9 grams) and clusters (up to 1000 grams). It has an interesting grassy taste and a slightly pronounced smell of musk. Grape variety Summer Muscat is unpretentious, resistant to frost down to -25 ° C, as well as to diseases and pests.
5. Moscow Muscat - ripens in 100-115 days. Not resistant to frost, mildew and oidium. The yield is high, reaching 100 centners per hectare. The sugar content in Moscow Muscat grapes is slightly above average (about 17%). One berry weighs 4 grams, a bunch - about 500 grams.

Highly resistant to cold and disease

Muscats, resistant to cold, pests and fungal diseases, are ideal for growing in Russian cities. They are generally unpretentious and do not require special care.

Such varieties include:

1. Odessa Muscat grapes - resistant to frost down to -27 °C, to mildew and oidium. Sugar content is, on average, 20%. Ripening takes from 130 to 150 days. The yield is average. A bunch of Moscow Muscat weighs approximately 300-400 grams, one berry - 2-3 grams.
2. Pridonsky muscat - resistant to frost down to -30 °C, to mildew, oidium and gray mold. Sugar content is high (about 25%). Ripening is medium-late, takes from 130 to 140 days. The yield of Pridonsky Muscat grapes is below average, usually it is possible to collect no more than 30-40 centners per hectare of land. Clusters are small, weighing 200-300 grams, berries - 2.5 grams each.
3. Muscat De Codru - resistant to frost down to -29 °C and to the most common fungal diseases. Sugar content - up to 18%. High productivity (up to 90% of fruitful shoots per bush). Medium-sized clusters, the weight of which reaches 800 grams. Berries weigh 7-8 grams.
4. Muscat of Alexandria - resistant to frost down to -28 °C, mildew and oidium. Sugar content varies from 15 to 30%. The yield also varies greatly from case to case, but can reach 110 centners per 1 hectare (on average, 70-80 centners). Bunches and berries are small.

The most prolific varieties

The most prolific muscats include early pink grapes. The number of fruitful shoots in this species ranges from 85 to 95%. In this case, the period of full maturation takes from 95 to 100 days. This grape is frost-resistant and often “sick”, so it needs to be carefully looked after.

Also, new hybrid varieties, such as Muscat Lyubimiy and Noble, are also distinguished by high fertility.

They both consistently bring 80-90 centners of crops per hectare of land. At the same time, hybrid varieties practically do not get sick, they tolerate cold well. Muscat the Noble "survives" temperatures down to -26 °C, and Beloved - up to -24 °C.

Fit features

Almost all Muscats should be planted on elevated areas, slopes, so that they are constantly under the sun. So the grapes accumulate more sugar, ripen faster and give a good harvest.

Under each seedling you need to dig a separate hole with a depth and width of about 80-100 centimeters. When planting cuttings in one row, you need to calculate the distance between them, it should be at least 1 meter, preferably 1.5. Also be sure to install a support under each hole in the form of a peg.

In the hole itself, you need to make a small mound of soil, and then place a seedling on it, after straightening the roots of the plant.

Next, you should sprinkle everything with earth, and tie the grapes to a peg. Before planting, you can drain the soil by placing crushed stone in it to a depth of no more than 10-15 centimeters. This is done if the ground is waterlogged. When planting grapes in the cold season, you should immediately add mulch to the soil surface. It is also desirable to fertilize the land with humus or peat.

Growing and Care Tips

In order to properly grow Muscat grapes, you need to consider these recommendations:

1. For the winter, almost all nutmegs need to be covered, even if they are quite resistant to frost. Especially if the plants are grown in cold regions with harsh winters. At temperatures below -25 °C, many Muscats begin to die.
2. For a full-fledged plantation that occupies a large area, a drip irrigation system and soil spraying is required. It needs to be "activated" during the active growth of grapes. As soon as the berries begin to ripen, the amount and amount of watering must be reduced, otherwise the harvest will be watery and unsweetened.
3. Muscats must be processed every year, preferably in early spring or autumn. For processing, you can use Quadris, Paracelsus, Sirocco or other products belonging to the group of insecticides / fungicides.These drugs are used to control diseases and pests. Insecticides are designed to kill insects, fungicides are designed to prevent fungal diseases.

In order to provide ideal conditions for the grapes, you need to use a trellis - a special design that provides good support to the plant.

You should also periodically (every 2-4 weeks) loosen the soil between the rows and near the roots of the seedlings, while not touching the plant itself.

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