Cabernet Grapes: variety description, features and care

In many countries Cabernet grapes are considered one of the most popular technical varieties. It is mainly used in the wine industry. Due to its unpretentiousness is very fond of gardeners. There are a lot of species, but the most famous ones are Fran, Cortis, Sauvignon. The last of them is especially popular.

Origin and historical homeland

The Cabernet Sauvignon variety distinguishes berries with a specific nightshade odor. He appeared as a result of the crossing of two Western European: Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The grape variety, cultivated today throughout the world, began its distribution from France (Bordeaux province). The date of his birth is considered the 17th century. Now it is grown in Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria, Japan, America and many other countries.

Places of growth

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes ripen at a later time, because it safely tolerates frost and drought, as well as invasions of various pests. Has a high resistance to the millet and phylloxera. The shortcomings can be attributed to the low yield and shedding of the ovaries. He is unpretentious, has the ability to adapt and grow in all corners of the planet. And, depending on the place of growth, it has its own unique taste and smell. For example, the French Cabernet grapes are distinguished by a floral-coffee aroma, but the same variety that grows in California is berry-peppery. For information: the most favorable place for ripening without the use of blend is California, and not France, though the Cabernet grapes appeared there.

Variety description

Shrubs have long light walnut shoots, covered with leaves of round shape, and the crown is white-green with a dense pubescence. Bunches grow up to fifteen centimeters in length, and about nine in width, weighing up to 80 grams. Most of the weight of the bunch is grape juice - about 80%, pulp and peel - no more than 20%, and a very small percentage goes to the crests.

The number of fertile shoots is about half of their total number. In order to get the wine, you need to shorten the vine and load the plant with shoots. From the moment the buds have already blossomed, it takes about one hundred and fifty days, when you can start harvesting. Usually this period occurs in the beginning of autumn. For dessert wines, it is somewhat delayed.

Berries

Variety of grapes Cabernet is distinguished by small berries - about fifteen centimeters. They have an oval shape, a skin of blue color and a rather high density. The berries do not rot for a long time, they can stay on the tree for a long time. The number of bones does not exceed three pieces. By weight characteristics, the weight of the berries is not more than 1 gram. The flesh of the grapes is very juicy, it has a transparent color.

Sahara is about 20%, and this number is not amenable to changes even in connection with the excess of the harvest load index.

Peculiarities of growing

Soil and location should be chosen with particular care, since Cabernet grapes are very sensitive to an uncomfortable surface. There are several generally recognized factors that must be known when planting this grapes. It should be borne in mind that this is a thermophilic variety. Despite the resistance of grapes to cold, full ripening occurs in the south, in a mountainous area. But this does not mean that in other conditions it will not ripen, just in the southern territories this will happen more quickly. Terms of planting are standard - there is no difference from other varieties: the middle of autumn and the beginning of spring. If the cultivation pursues a goal such as the production of wine, you do not need to weigh the shrubs too long arrow fruit. On the contrary, they should be shortened. The width between the rows is about three meters.

Cultivating this variety is easy, because it practically does not rot, even in rainy weather and is resistant to many diseases. In addition, he is absolutely not afraid of frosts and is well tolerated in the winter. The main thing is to ensure high-quality watering. In a dry summer, when moisture is not enough, the berries grow too small, and the density of clusters decreases. Low yield Cabernet Sauvignon - this is perhaps the only disadvantage of the variety.

Serious danger for it is represented by pests - arachnoid and grape mite, leaf-litter grazdevaya and its caterpillars. To combat them use a soapy solution, which treats the bush during the opening of the kidneys. During the summer with a preventive purpose, one-percent sulfur is applied several times.

Harvest is collected depending on the weather conditions. Usually this is done in the second half of September - early October.

From the experience of professionals

Vine growers, who have been cultivating this variety for a number of years, have derived for themselves some patterns and tricks, thanks to which practically all the shoots bear fruit. A few bunches of grapes can be placed on substitute knots. The excellent adaptability to any locality was mentioned above. Here it is worth noting that the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are not capricious on the new earth. Together with agronomic technologies this gives great results. The shortening of the plant should be done on six eyes. At the lower level, although there are rare arrows, nevertheless there are several small bunches.

No matter how much you want to use Cabernet grapes fresh, this will not succeed. The fruit is too dense and rough. Wine-making is practically the only industry of their use. But in it this grapes is the standard for many competing varieties, in France it is based on a variety of wines.

Wine "Cabernet Sauvignon"

The processed berries are transformed into the finest drink, which has a noble tannic taste. The fruits endow it with tartness, because they have such a component as tannin. The taste of berries themselves has a nightshade tint. With regard to the external characteristics of the wine, such a high density of the skin of the fruit and the later ripening of the variety make the color of the drink deep and rich. Every year, spent on a shelf in a wine cellar, "Cabernet Sauvignon" is becoming increasingly valuable, and as a consequence - high cost. Over time, its taste becomes softer and resembles the taste of black currant.

This grape variety is used not only in the production of wines, it also participates in the production of juices, champagne. Its fruits, filled with a special flavor, have no competitors. Wine "Cabernet Sauvignon" is served with meat and other dishes, which are expressed taste taste, so as not to interrupt it.

Other grape varieties

Its fruits are also not suitable for food, so they grow this species for the purpose of making wine. It was bred in Germany in 1982. Cabernet Cortis - a grape variety, characterized by early maturation, the terms of which do not exceed 140 days. The fruits of round shape have a violet hue and are covered with a whitish bloom. The most widespread was in Germany and Switzerland.

Cabernet Franc - the brand, which is the founder of Cabernet Sauvignon, has a much lower yield, but has a high resistance to frost, so it is usually grown in climates that are characterized by early cold snaps.

Less common varieties, but at the same time loved by many wine growers are Cabernet Karol, Jura, Michurinsky, Carbon. Each of them has its own special flavor, but all are united by high resistance to fungal infections and frosts.