The vigorous plant has proven itself to be excellent in yield and easy to care for. Zinfandel grapes can grow in a variety of climates. In hot climates, the berries ripen remarkably well, and grape shoots often delight with a repeat harvest. The variety is widely used for the production of a variety of wines. There are vineyards in California that have produced bountiful harvests of Zinfandel berries for over 80 years.
A little history
In 1820, the amateur gardener Gibbs ordered several types of vines from the Schönbrun imperial garden, among which was a prolific black variety native to Hungary. The gardener had high hopes for this variety. After Gibbs' death, William Robert Prince began selling Zinfandel vines in his nursery in 1832.
In 1850, the variety gained popularity as a red wine. After 12 years, the product was tried by the French winemaker Fauré, who highly appreciated the drink. Since then, Zinfandel has spread throughout California.
What kind of variety is this?
In the 1960s, plant pathologist Goin saw similarities between Zinfandel and the Primitivo grape grown in Puglia. In the 70s, the identity of the varieties was proven using isoenzyme analysis.
Thanks to this, Apulian producers, taking advantage of the popularity of their overseas counterpart, began to label wine from the Primitivo variety for export as Zinfandel.
Through research it has been proven that clones of the same variety are:
- American Zinfandel;
- Italian Primitivo;
- Croatian Crljenak.
Wines are produced from grapes:
- dry;
- sweet;
- white Zinfandel.
Wines made from berries grown on vines that are at least 50 years old are valued for their richness and intensity of taste and are considered standard.
Distinctive characteristics
Main characteristics of the variety:
- has high vine growth vigor;
- leaves are medium-sized, five-lobed, deeply cut;
- large clusters have a conical shape;
- berries are dark purple, small;
- fruits ripen unevenly;
- endowed with extraordinary sugar accumulation;
- high-yielding;
- late ripening;
- resistant to oidium and mildew;
- unpretentious to soils.
Zinfandel wine has a variety of flavors, ranging from lightly fruity to complex and sweet, like port. The skin of the berries is covered with a waxy coating, thanks to which the crop is well stored and does not crack under high humidity.
What are the pros and cons?
The disadvantages include:
- Berries often ripen unevenly.
- Requires a lot of sun.
- The bunches have a high density, which leads to rotting of the crop. To avoid rotting, plantings are regularly inspected and damaged specimens are promptly removed.
Advantages:
- high productivity;
- intense accumulation of sugar;
- high taste qualities;
- unpretentiousness to climatic conditions;
- The berries produce wine with a high alcohol content.
During the season, the bush produces about 10 kilograms of fruit, subject to proper care.
Selection and timing of planting seedlings
The plant is planted after the frost has passed - around the beginning of May. For planting, choose strong seedlings without damage.
How to Plant Zinfandel Grapes
It is not necessary to fertilize the soil before planting. But in fertilized soil the vine will grow better and produce a bountiful harvest. The drugs are used in doses. In different years, the plant needs different organic and mineral substances.
A seedling is placed in the prepared hole, then sprinkled with soil and watered abundantly. The space around the plant can be mulched.
Tips for growing and caring
To obtain a bountiful harvest, the plant is provided with competent care:
- Regular pruning. If you ignore scheduled pruning, the fruits will become small, and as a result the plant will go wild. In severe winters, pruning is done in the spring.
- Carry out preventive measures against pests.Before the buds swell, they are treated with copper sulfate, then after two weeks and in mid-summer with fungicides. In winter, it is recommended to treat with iron sulfate.
Thanks to its unpretentiousness to soil fertility and climate conditions with minimal care, the plant pleases gardeners with a bountiful harvest.
Diseases and pests
The variety has average resistance to:
- Oidium. The disease causes damage to inflorescences and berries. The fight is carried out using contact preparations.
- Mildew. The disease causes great damage to the plant. Damages the green part of the crop and the harvest.
Possible pests:
- Felt mite. The development and spread of the insect is facilitated by dry and hot weather.
- Wasps. When the berries ripen, wasps can destroy the crop in a few days. Therefore, the destruction of insects begins before the grapes ripen.
To preserve the harvest, preventive measures are taken against pests and diseases.
