Merlot grape variety
Merlot grapes are a natural source of vitamins, trace elements and useful carbohydrates necessary for the human body. It is renowned for its taste and rapid maturation.
Merlot grape variety
Characteristics of the variety
Merlot is popular with winegrowers. Got spread in France and around the world. A rich harvest is harvested in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
In Russia, it matures in the Krasnodar Territory. Merlot is obtained by breeding from Cabernet franc and Madeleine noire des Charentes.
Merlot translated from French means "blackbird". It is so called because of its dark color.
Description of the bush
grapes are grown in open and closed grounds. To get a good harvest, it is better to know its quality characteristics.
- medium-sized or vigorous bush;
- shoots with a brownish tint;
- dark knots on the shoots;
- leaves are unusual, bronze-green;
- annual fruiting;
- high productivity;
- self-pollination;
- not prone to peas;
- average disease resistance;
- high frost resistance.
Self-pollination is a great advantage of the Blackbird. Flowers do not crumble and fruits do not shrink.
According to the description, the bush can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C. Saplings are not whimsical to care and take root well on different soils. The plant is not whimsical to watering. Leaves are dark green, five-lobed with characteristic cuts.
Description of berries
The collection of ripe berries depends on the wine that is made from them. For dessert wines, collection begins on the 165th day, and for canteens on the 150th day. The harvest begins in early October.
Description of berries:
- ripe bunch weight 150-160 g;
- berry size 14x12 mm, oval shape;
The skin of the berries is dense and transparent. There are few seeds, 1-2 pcs. The taste is balanced and harmonious. Nightshade aftertaste. Sugar content up to 22%. From above, the berries are covered with a protective whitish bloom, which is easily washed off.
Features of agricultural technology
The plant does not like drafts
To get a good harvest, it is necessary to carefully study all the features of growing the variety.
These grapes are grown in garden plots and on large plantations, as a raw material for wine and grape drinks. A beautiful vine serves as a decorative decoration for a garden interior or a summer cottage.
Grows best on clay-sandy soils. The vine does not require much space. The only condition is landing on areas without drafts.
Landing rules
Better to plant away from other nightshades. It does not matter in the fall or spring, during the period when the sap flow slows down and the survival rate becomes better.
Dig a hole 70x80 cm in size and to a depth of 60 cm. Pour a hill of nutrient mixture on the bottom, which is prepared in the usual way, as for other grape varieties. Place the seedling in the center and pour abundantly with water at room temperature. This will speed up the survival rate.
Care
Description of further care measures:
- weeding;
- watering;
- crown formation;
- fertilization.
Merlot does not like the neighborhood with weeds. Therefore, weeding is necessary. The crown is formed from the first year of life. In the fall, the first pruning is carried out, and in the spring and summer they make sure that the bushes are well ventilated and do not thicken.
The fertilization procedure is carried out depending on the soil in which the Merlot grows.
Disease control methods
Merlot infects a fungal disease, oidium, if preventive measures are not taken. To prevent it, the direction of the wind rose on the site and its illumination are taken into account. Maintain a distance of 4x2 m between the bushes so that airing is not difficult.
The soil is loosened and nitrogen and mineral fertilizers are applied clearly according to the instructions.
During intensive growth and budding on the vine, they are sprayed with lime-sulfuric broth (1-2%). Before flowering, spraying is carried out on the leaf with preparations containing sulfur.
In the hot season, spraying is replaced by pollination with ground sulfur. In the morning or evening. After rain, the procedure is repeated, because the sulfur is washed off with water and its action ceases. All processing is stopped 50 days before harvesting.
Application
This grape is most often used to make wine. Fresh juices and cocktails are prepared from the fruits. It is not suitable for drying and long-term storage.
Intense, specific and varied taste is the highlight of Merlot. In modern subgroups, the difference in taste arises from the difference in climatic conditions of cultivation. Red wine connoisseurs prefer this variety as a base. It is the variety of flavors that distinguishes the Blackbird from other varieties.
Spicy notes are not revealed immediately, and real gourmets can appreciate them. Fruity notes are balanced with subtle spice notes. A unique sensation of noble food remains on the lips.
Conclusion
The rich structure of Merlot grapes, the bouquet of taste and structure allows you to create an exquisite wine that will please any gourmet. To get a rich harvest of this grape on your site, you should follow the rules for growing and caring for it.