Grape wine is a drink that has not lost its popularity for hundreds of years. Vineyard owners often plant vineyards for one purpose - to make intoxicating wine. Growing Malbec grapes has long been a good tradition among winemakers, because it is this technical variety that has become famous for the taste and aroma that is transferred to the intoxicating drink.
- History of selection
- Pros and cons of the variety
- Caloric content and acidity of fruits
- External parameters
- Vine
- Leaves
- Berries
- Hybrid characteristics
- Frost resistance
- Immunity to diseases and pests
- Transportability
- Productivity
- Reproduction method
- Growing and agricultural technology
- Planting dates and patterns
- Seasonal care
- Regularity of watering
- Top dressing
- Trimming
- Garter to posts
- Treatment
- Do I need to cover it for the winter?
- Ripening and harvest period
- The use of berries in winemaking
History of selection
The birthplace of the Malbec grape is sunny France. There this variety is quite popular even in the presence of more productive species. Thanks to positive feedback from French gardeners and winemakers, the culture quickly spread throughout Europe.
The appearance of the hybrid is due to two equally popular varieties - Gaillac and Montpellier. Today, the leader in the cultivation of Malbec is Argentina - since the 19th century, huge grape plantations have been planted there.
Pros and cons of the variety
Before growing Malbec grapes, it is recommended to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the variety. The benefits include:
- taste qualities;
- fruit juiciness;
- persistent aroma;
- unpretentiousness;
- stable fruiting;
- active growth and development.
Among the disadvantages, weak frost resistance is noted. Even a warm shelter is often not enough to save plants from death in severe frosts.
Caloric content and acidity of fruits
Due to the increased sugar content, the acidity of Malbec berries is low - in the range of 2.9-3.2 g/l.
The calorie content of the fruit is about 70 kcal.
External parameters
The appearance of the grapes is no different from the parameters of the extensive grape family, although there are several features that are best studied in advance.
Vine
Malbec bushes are vigorous and have long, powerful vines that can support the weight of large clusters. With proper care and timely feeding, the shoots of the plant give an annual growth of 15-25 cm.
Leaves
Malbec leaves are medium-sized, five-fingered, funnel-shaped. There is a small fluff on the bottom. The shade is light green; bushes growing in the shade have a darker color.
Berries
The fruits of the grapes are dark inky. The clusters are medium-sized, dense, cylindrical in shape. The weight of one berry reaches 4 g. The weight of the brush is in the range of 500-700 g.
Hybrid characteristics
Before you start growing a hybrid, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics. The qualities of the variety will allow you to decide whether this species should be preferred.
Frost resistance
One of the disadvantages of Malbec grapes is their poor tolerance to low temperatures. Already at 20 degrees the bushes can die. In cooler regions, the use of a cover is recommended.
Immunity to diseases and pests
Another disadvantage of the grape variety is frequent damage by diseases and pests. Among the diseases that develop on plants are mildew, anthracnose, and gray rot. Preventative treatments are the only way to prevent damage.
Among the pests, the leaf roller often settles on bushes, against which it is recommended to use chemicals.
Transportability
Transportation and long-term storage of Malbec fruits is not recommended - due to the juiciness of the fruits and the looseness of the bunches, the presentation of the grapes quickly deteriorates. It is better to use berries for processing immediately after harvest.
Productivity
Malbec grape flowers often fall off, which makes it difficult to accurately determine the amount of harvest. In favorable climatic conditions, it will be possible to harvest up to 150 centners per hectare, but often the yield is much lower - in the range of 40-60 centners.
Reproduction method
To propagate Malbec grapes, cuttings are used, although many gardeners use layering. It is recommended to stock up on cuttings in the spring or during the summer. Propagation by layering is carried out in the warm season.
Growing and agricultural technology
There will be no particular difficulties with cultivation even with a minimum of knowledge of agricultural technology. The main thing is to carry out proper planting, regularly watering, adding nutrients, and pruning.
Planting dates and patterns
For Malbec grapes, spring planting is recommended. During the season, the bush will have time to produce additional roots, which will allow it to easily endure the winter.
It is recommended to plant bushes at a distance of 2.5-3 m. Leave up to 2 m between rows, this will allow the plants to fully develop.
Seasonal care
Seasonal care is simple - fertilize in the spring, carry out regular watering in the summer, loosen the soil, and control pests. In autumn, you should take care of winter shelter.
Regularity of watering
Water the bushes regularly, at least once a week; in extreme heat, increase the number of soil irrigations. One adult plant will need up to 15 liters of water. Be sure to ensure that the liquid is infused in the sun.
Top dressing
To fertilize plants, use complete mineral compositions. It is recommended to buy fertilizer in specialized stores. Organic matter is added only in the spring - compost or humus is mixed with the top layer of soil.
Trimming
Pruning is carried out in the fall, removing dry, damaged vines. It is recommended to do the process shortly before winter shelter. In the spring, be sure to check the condition of the vines and, if necessary, remove frozen or broken vines.
Garter to posts
It is recommended to start tying Malbec grapes to supports immediately after planting, this will allow you to form a beautiful bush. You need to take into account the growth rate of the plant; you will have to repeat the process several times during the season.
Treatment
Preventive treatments should be carried out at least three times per season. Timely irrigation of leaves with chemicals will prevent the occupation of grapes by pests and the spread of infectious diseases.
Do I need to cover it for the winter?
Winter shelter is a must; even in warm regions it is better not to risk plants. Use spruce branches, straw mats, special textiles.
Ripening and harvest period
It takes about 5 months from bud opening to the first wave of fruit ripening. The harvest will have to take place in early September, although in warm regions the berries ripen a little earlier.
The use of berries in winemaking
For winemaking, Malbec is usually used in France, but Argentina is not inferior in the amount of hop products. Usually, dense tannic wines are made based on the variety, but in France, winemakers have learned to add aromatic fruits to sparkling drinks. Blends with the addition of Malbec juice are especially popular among gourmets around the world.
Interestingly, the most expensive wines are those whose raw materials were grown at an altitude of more than a kilometer above world level.
Malbec grapes are an excellent solution if you want to grow a crop for industrial purposes. Juicy fruits rich in nutrients, good yield, and low maintenance requirements are the positive qualities of the variety, which have long been noted by winemakers.
