Description and characteristics of Syrah grapes, where they grow and grow

Grape varieties are divided into two types: table and technical. The latter are considered the best for preparing wine drinks. Syrah is considered a popular technical grape. The variety also has a second scientific name – Vitis vinifera ‘Syrah. The plant itself is resistant to cold, does not like drought, strong winds and produces a high-quality harvest. Therefore, when choosing grapes for winemaking, you should definitely pay attention to these berries.

Origin story

The history of the origin of grapes began in ancient times, and is associated with the Iranian city of Shiraz. According to legend, Shirazi wine began to be made in this area using local berries. Then the grapes began to be grown in the French region, where it became widespread. At the beginning of the 20th century, research was carried out proving that the plant has French roots and appeared as a result of combining the Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza grape lines.

Description of the variety

The description of the variety should begin with what type of grapes belong to. So, Syrah is a technical variety of red grapes used to make red or rosé wine drinks. Syrah is a plant with a medium ripening period. The grape yield is small, but this indicator is the key to quality wine.

Syrah and Shiraz are considered to be the same species. But in fact, French Syrah grapes are used for mineral, peppery wine drinks. But Shiraz will make the wine juicy and bright.

If you are wondering where grapes grow, then we can say that their ubiquity is noted. You can find bushes in all wine-growing countries. The species is known both in the USA and in Italy, Argentina, South Africa or Switzerland.

Wines made from Syrah berries produce a rich purple hue, with the aroma of a bouquet of spices: black pepper, blackberries, coffee, currants, raspberries, and various herbs.

Characteristic

Shiraz grapes differ from other grape varieties in the following characteristics:

1. The culture is characterized by moderate growth rates.
2. Bushes of medium size and height can bear fruit for 150 years.
3. The leaves of the crop are oval-shaped, medium-sized, with 3 or 5 lobes.
4. The flowers are bisexual and do not require additional pollination.
5. The clusters are small (weight 100-115 grams), with berries of a dark purple color with a white coating. The fruit pulp is juicy, fleshy, with a pleasant taste and aroma.
6. Ripening period is 145-150 days.
7. The shelf life of the crop is 4 months.

Landing principle

Gardeners prefer this grape species due to its high survival rate and long-term storage of berries. But how to plant a crop correctly is discussed in detail below.

Soil selection

The crop grows and bears fruit on any soil, including poor and depleted soils.

Rootstock cuttings

Grafting of grapes is an effective way to obtain new samples with stable immunity. To plant cuttings yourself, you need to consider the following recommendations:

1. Grafting of the variety to other species is allowed.
2. The procedure can be carried out in any season.
3. You can graft new cuttings in several ways:

• in splitting;
• root stamps;
• green shoots.

4. The age of the rootstocks is 2-3 years.
5. Cuttings should be harvested in the fall, when pruning the grapevine, or in the spring, immediately before the procedure.
6. During the preparatory period, the cuttings are fed with fertilizers and stored in dry rooms with a temperature of 0 degrees.

Landing

Warm and sunny areas with little chance of frost are suitable for growing shrubs. In windy regions, bushes are tied to supports. And in dry areas, the plant should be provided with abundant watering. The variety adapts to weather conditions, however, temperature fluctuations have a negative impact on the formation of the vine, the number of ovaries and the speed of fruit ripening.

Care

The culture does not require special care. For a high-quality harvest, it is enough to provide the plant with watering and timely pruning of the vine.

Watering and fertilizing

This grape variety does not tolerate drought well, so it is necessary to provide the plant with abundant watering several times a season. The crop requires irrigation in arid regions. In autumn, it is advisable to feed the bushes with a solution of manure. Watering rate is 4-5 buckets per bush.

Trimming

It is recommended to prune dry, damaged and weak shoots in the spring, as well as vines that do not bear fruit. In summer, pinch the stems so that the bush does not grow more than 1.7 meters. In the fall, pruning should be done after the berries are collected and the bush is completely “bald”. For the winter, trim the vine so that it is convenient to bend it to the ground and wrap it.

Preparing for winter

The crop has low frost resistance and freezes during severe frosts. With a sharp drop in temperature, the yield itself will decrease. Therefore, the plant must be covered for the winter, using any convenient method:

• falling asleep with earth, husks;
• wrapping with building materials, spruce branches.

But spring frosts are no longer dangerous for the plant, since the ovaries appear quite late.

Advantages and disadvantages

This variety has a number of undeniable advantages:

• the plant can grow in cool climates, although it is heat-loving;
• berries have a balanced acid and sugar content for the human body;
• juicy fruits are suitable for wine production.

The disadvantages include:

• high sensitivity to sudden temperature changes;
• low resistance to fungal diseases.

Diseases and pests

This species is difficult to grow due to its susceptibility to diseases and pests. Affects the culture:

• mildew;
• oidium.

Because of this, in the spring it is important to treat the bushes with protective agents.It is worth scattering Nitrophoska, Kemira around the bush and pouring plenty of water. In summer, cover the vine with a protective solution against powdery mildew.