Description and characteristics of Rkatsiteli grapes, selection history and care rules

Translated from Georgian, the name of the grape variety Rkatsiteli is translated as “red vine”. The very name of the variety indicates that it comes from Georgia, or more precisely from the Kakheti region. Belongs to the group of technical wine varieties of the Black Sea basin and is valued for its taste. They can be grown in any region with a suitable climate; the berries do not lose their delicious aroma, but they usually taste a little sour.

History of selection. Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Rkatsiteli variety is valuable and has a very long history. It is also known under such names as Topolek, Budashuri, Mamali, Kakura. Residents of Georgia have been growing it for several thousand years. The culture has not lost its popularity even today. Together with another common variety - Saperavi - Rkatsiteli grows over large areas in Kakheti and other regions.

The variety used for making wine and juice has the following advantages:

1. It has larger berries and clusters compared to other technical grape varieties.
2. It is unpretentious in care.
3. It has good taste and a delicate bouquet of aromas, which is important in wine production.
4. The berries have a high sugar content.
5. The variety demonstrates resistance to gray rot and other diseases.
6. Responds favorably to irrigation.

Along with positive qualities, Rkatsiteli has disadvantages:

1. Does not produce abundant harvests on unsuitable lands.
2. Requires constant preventive measures to protect against oidium.

Biological description

Rkatsiteli grape bushes are vigorous. Mature plants take on a pyramidal shape. Young shoots are erect and have a characteristic reddish-yellow color. The root system is powerful, going into the soil to a depth of about 3 meters.

Ripe clusters are loose and cylindrical in shape.Unlike other technical varieties, they are medium in size, weighing on average 170 grams, and their length is up to 17 centimeters. The berries are an amber-yellow hue, with small brownish inclusions, juicy pulp and thin skin. Their shape is oval and round.

Vine

The vine grows to a height of over 3 meters and has a characteristic flexible stem. It grows quickly and ripens well. The number of fruiting shoots on it varies from 20% to 70%. The leaves sit on a long petiole, are five-lobed or three-lobed, have medium and large sizes, and have a bronze color. The flowers are bisexual and form inflorescences. Ovaries form easily, since the variety is capable of self-pollinating.

Productivity

According to the experienced data of winegrowers, the minimum yield of the Rkatsiteli variety is 90 centners per hectare, on average it is 150 centners per hectare. The yield level can vary significantly from year to year, depending on the number of fruiting shoots, climatic factors and other conditions.

Taste and beneficial qualities of fruits

The berries have a light tart taste. But thanks to a large number of minerals and vitamins, they have healing properties and improve the functioning of the digestive system.

One of the distinctive features of the Rkatsiteli variety is its high sugar content. This means that even a small amount of berries can satisfy hunger and restore energy reserves.

Calorie content

A kilogram of grapes contains 170-250 grams of glucose. The calorie content of Rkatsiteli is 60 kilocalories per 100 grams. Compared to other varieties, this figure is low. For example, the calorie content of Kishmish is 90 kilocalories.

Acidity

The acidity of juice from berries of this variety is 7-9 grams per liter.This parameter may fluctuate during the growing season and depends on weather conditions.

Resistance to frost and disease

Rkatsiteli is a frost-resistant crop. Bushes that are not covered for the winter are damaged only if the air temperature drops below -25 ⁰C. In addition, the variety demonstrates resistance to diseases and pests: gray rot, phylloxera, mildew.

Growing region

Grape cultivation, including on an industrial scale, is carried out in regions with a mild, warm climate. The crop is actively grown in the southern and middle viticulture zones, namely: in Georgia, Crimea, Stavropol and Krasnodar territories, in the territory of the republics of Chechnya and Dagestan.

Planting grapes

Grapes are a perennial plant, so the place for planting them must be chosen very carefully. The productivity, taste, and durability of plants depend on this.

Optimal timing

Rkatsiteli are propagated by grafted seedlings or stems. Depending on the method of reproduction, the timing is chosen. Only the spring months are suitable for chibouks, while grafted seedlings are planted not only in spring, but also in autumn - from October to November. The establishment of vineyards and plantings generally occur in early spring, when the soil warms up to 6-8 ⁰WITH.

Required soil composition

The Rkatsiteli variety is unpretentious to growing conditions. However, it requires a certain soil structure. Well-moistened loam or sandy loam is considered preferable. In regions with a hot climate, northern slopes are set aside for planting crops so that the berries do not ripen too quickly.

Hole depth and width

Before planting seedlings, the planting holes must be marked. The row spacing should be 3-3.5 meters, and the distance between bushes should be 2 meters or more.The holes are dug large, cubic in shape, so that their depth, width and length are 0.8 meters.

Technology of planting and caring for young seedlings

The bottom of the prepared holes is covered with drainage, on top - with a layer of fertile soil, fertilizers, and another layer of soil about 10 centimeters thick. As a rule, organic matter, wood ash and nitroammophoska are used for fertilizing. The seedlings are lowered into the holes, carefully straightening the root system. Fill the hole with soil, compact it slightly, and water it.

When cultivating young grapes, monitor the direction of the arrows to prevent a lack of lighting. They are placed in a horizontal direction. Up to 30 fruiting shoots are left on each bush.

Features of agricultural technology

The correctness and timeliness of agricultural practices allows winegrowers to maintain high yields and quality of berries.

Watering

The Rkatsiteli variety requires sufficient moisture, especially during dry periods. To do this, a groove is laid around each bush and 20 liters of water are poured into it. If plants experience moisture deficiency, the growing season slows down significantly, and with it the rate of grape ripening.

Protection from diseases and pests

The main threats to the plant are spider mites and leaf rollers. The first live on the lower surface of the leaves, destroying them. The appearance of this pest affects the sugar content in fruits.

The leaf roller is a variegated butterfly whose caterpillars damage ovaries and berries and destroy most of the crop. To prevent this, regular inspection of the grapevine for signs of disease, cleaning and burning of old bark, and spraying the plants with special means are required.

Trimming

For the Rkatsiteli grape variety, long pruning is used, leaving 30 fruiting shoots with 50-60 eyes on each plant. This procedure is performed in the spring. And to protect against excessive load, they carry out breaking and pinching, gartering the vine.

Preparing for winter

During frosts, the crop does not need shelter. It grows in regions with mild winters, where the minimum air temperature at this time is about -15 ⁰C. The Rkatsiteli variety is resistant to such frosts.

Beginning of fruiting and harvest

The culture is late. Its growing season is 155-160 days. About 5 months pass between the moment the buds open and the berries ripen. The first grapes of this variety are harvested in mid-September. The collection continues in October.

Use in cooking and winemaking

Rkatsiteli grapes are a universal variety. It is used as a raw material for winemaking, juice production, and as a basis for a variety of desserts. White, rose wine, brandy, cognac, port - all these drinks are made from this variety.

It is believed that the most pleasant-tasting wine comes from grapes harvested in mid-October.

The berries are often used in cooking; they can be eaten fresh or prepared for the winter in the form of jams, preserves, and compotes.

The variety is distinguished by a high degree of safety during transportation. Together with its valuable taste qualities, this makes it attractive to true connoisseurs of quality grapes.