Description and characteristics of the Syrah grape variety, where it grows and is cultivated
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. Also, the variety has a second scientific name - Vitis vinifera ‘Syrah. The plant itself is resistant to cold weather, does not like drought, strong winds and brings 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 spread.At the beginning of the 20th century, studies were carried out proving that the plant has French roots and appeared as a result of the combination of the Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza grape lines.
Description of the variety
The description of the variety should begin with what kind of grape belongs to. So, Syrah is a technical red grape used to make red or rosé wine drinks. Syrah is a medium-ripening plant. The grape harvest is small, but such an indicator is a guarantee of quality wine.
It is believed that Sira and Shiraz are one species. But in fact, the French Syrah grapes are taken for mineral wine drinks with peppercorns. But Shiraz will make the wine juicy and bright.
If you are interested in where the grapes grow, then we can say that its ubiquity is noted. The bushes can be found in all wine-making countries. The species is known both in the USA and in Italy, Argentina, South Africa or Switzerland.
Wines from Syrah berries are obtained with a rich purple hue, with the aroma of a bouquet of spices: black pepper, blackberries, coffee, currants, raspberries, and various herbs.
Characteristic
The Shiraz grape differs from other grape varieties in characteristics:
- The culture is characterized by a moderate growth rate.
- Bushes of medium size and height can bear fruit for 150 years.
- The leaves of the culture are oval, medium in size, with 3 or 5 lobes.
- The flowers are bisexual, do not require additional pollination.
- The bunches are small (weight 100-115 grams), with dark purple berries with a white coating. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, fleshy, with a pleasant taste and aroma.
- Ripening period - 145-150 days.
- The crop storage period is 4 months.
Landing principle
Gardeners prefer this grape species because of its high survival rate and long-term storage of berries. But how to plant a culture correctly is discussed in detail below.
Soil selection
The culture grows and bears fruit on any soil, including poor and depleted ones.
Stock of cuttings
Grafting grapes Is an effective way to obtain new samples with stable immunity. To plant cuttings yourself, you need to consider the following recommendations:
- Grafting of the variety to other species is allowed.
- The procedure can be carried out in any season.
- There are several ways to graft new cuttings:
- in splitting;
- root stamps;
- green shoots.
- The rootstocks are 2-3 years old.
- Harvest the cuttings in the fall, when pruning the vine, or in the spring, just before the procedure.
- In the preparatory period, the cuttings are fed with fertilizers and stored in dry rooms with a temperature of 0 degrees.
Landing
Shrubs are suitable for growing in warm and sunny areas with little chance of frost. In windy regions, the bushes are tied to supports. And in arid areas, the plant should be provided with abundant watering. The variety adapts to weather conditions, but temperature fluctuations have a negative impact on the formation of the vine, the number of ovaries and the rate 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 feeding
This grape variety does not tolerate drought well, therefore it is necessary to provide the plant with abundant watering several times a season. Requires crop irrigation in arid regions. In autumn, it is advisable to feed the bushes with a manure solution. Watering rate - 4-5 buckets per bush.
Pruning
It is recommended to prune dry, damaged and weak shoots in spring, as well as vines that do not yield. In the summer, pinch the stems so that the shrub does not grow more than 1.7 meters. In autumn, cut off after picking berries and complete "baldness" of the bush. For the winter, prune the vine so that it is convenient to tilt it to the ground and wrap it up.
Preparing for winter
The culture has low frost resistance, freezes during severe frosts. With a sharp drop in temperature, the yield itself will decrease. Therefore, for the winter, the plant must be covered using any convenient method:
- falling asleep with earth, husks;
- wrapping with building materials, spruce branches.
But spring frosts are no longer terrible 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 thermophilic;
- berries have a balanced acid and sugar content for the human body;
- juicy fruits are suitable for wine production.
Among the disadvantages are:
- high sensitivity to sudden temperature changes;
- low resistance to fungal diseases.
Diseases and pests
This species is difficult to grow due to its tendency to disease and pests. Affect the culture:
- mildew;
- oidium.
Because of this, it is important to treat the bushes with protective agents in the spring. Around the bush it is worth scattering Nitrofoska, Kemira and pouring plenty of water. In summer, cover the vine with a protective solution against powdery mildew.
