Muscat grapes

Muscat grapes are a fairly large group of varieties, which, in turn, belong to the type of perennial lianas or, in other words, Cultural Grapes. The group has a characteristic and intense nutmeg aroma, it is not difficult to conclude how the name Muscat was derived. Muscat grapes have practically no restrictions in terms of zoning and are grown in different regions and countries. Today we will analyze the features of the varieties, describe the most popular varieties and how to grow them.

Muscat grapes - description

Muscat grapes

The history of Muscat goes back centuries and even millennia. Its references can be found even in the history of Ancient Rome. Muscat is a single name for several varieties and species.

Describing the external indicators of Muscat grapes, each subspecies will have its own individual characteristics and characteristics, but also common features uniting them in one group naturally are.

• The scent of musk is the main characteristic of these varieties, among the huge variety of grapes.
• Large berries with dense pulp.
• Almost complete absence of bones. More ripe berries contain 2-3 seeds. A young crop can be completely without them.
• The non-thick peel is pleasant to eat, there is no need to peel the berries. The taste does not differ from the pulp of the berries. It is not tart, sweetish and crunchy.

Eighty percent of this grape variety is used in culinary directions. Muscat, like other grape varieties, is consumed raw. They also make desserts and juices from it, add it to salads and pastries, and prepare wine.

Sommeliers characterize wines from this variety with a rich and recognizable pronounced taste, which is a distinctive feature of the variety.

Today, Muscat is produced in almost all developed countries with a corresponding climate, but still the most extensive and large-scale vineyards are located in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal. It is in these countries that the cultivation of Muscat varieties has already become the norm and is being conducted as a private and family business.

All types of Muscat grapes are enriched with amino acids and trace elements such as potassium and calcium. Muscat has a relatively high glycemic index. But from the point of view of calorie content, it is quite suitable for a diet menu.

In this connection, the use of such a product in food is useful and necessary (with the exception of individual intolerance to the product).

In addition to an allergic reaction, diabetes mellitus is a contraindication to use in food, since the sugar content is quite high. Nutmeg also irritates the stomach and intestines.

Popular nutmeg varieties

The use of Muscat grapes is so diverse that the demand for it only grows every year. In this connection, his plantations are only increasing, and experiments in creating new varieties are successful and not very successful.

What to look for when choosing? Give preference to proven varieties, and we will help you by presenting a list of them below:

- "Hamburg"

This variety does not differ in early maturity and you will be able to harvest after 145-150 days. You can harvest up to 11,000 kilograms from one hectare of grapes. The fruits are small, only 3-4 grams, blue with small blotches of purple on the peel. One bunch weighs 270 grams on average.

The aroma is naturally nutmeg. The skin is strong, which is a great advantage for further transportation. The juice has practically no color. The sugar content per 100 milliliters of juice is approximately 22 grams.

Frost resistance is suitable for southern regions, it does not survive cold over 18 degrees. It is highly susceptible to the dominance of pests and diseases.

- "Alexandria"

Late ripening variety. The bunch is voluminous, triangular-conical in shape. Weight can reach 700 grams, and one berry is about 7 grams. The color of the fruit is orange-yellow, the shape is an elongated circle.

The aroma of the variety can not be written, it is naturally nutmeg, but its richness can be considered a characteristic feature. Prone to disease and does not tolerate severe frosts.

- "Pleven Muscat"

The variety that is undoubtedly the leader on our list. Large berries and clusters, the former can reach a weight of 8 grams, and the latter no more than 800 grams. This variety has an advantage over the previous two.

It is quite resistant to climatic changes, which expands its zoning. The main advantage is the brightest and rich nutmeg taste.

- "Shiny"

Most of all we are loved by private gardeners, but it is also grown on an industrial scale. The nutmeg flavor is not strong, but rather soft and delicate. The berries are strong in the process of biting, even crunching a little.

The weight of one fruit is about 7 grams. The color of the berries is pastel pink. The variety has good immunity to diseases, but unfortunately it does not tolerate cold weather.

- "Frumoasa Albe"

In everyday life, gardeners are often referred to as "White Beauty". The berries have a peculiar yellow-golden color, and their weight is eight grams. This grade is most suitable for a business area, namely trade.

It has excellent transport qualities. The crop is perfectly stored and can withstand high climatic temperatures without spoiling. Also has an advantage in terms of appearance. Berries of the same size are exactly folded into a bunch weighing up to five hundred grams.

- "Summer Muscat"

The ripening period is 120 days. The plant is large in terms of its size and belongs to the vigorous. The berries are large, elongated, the flesh of a dense structure, yellow-marsh color and weighing up to 8.5 grams. The sugar content is 20% per 100 grams. It easily tolerates not severe frosts, up to about 23 degrees.

- "Livadia"

Refers to varieties of early fruiting. Vegetative development is slow. The berries on the bunch are not densely located, large in size up to 550 grams. The color of the fruit is amber, but if the berry is overripe, it takes on a golden hue.

Taste qualities are not inferior to other varieties. The berries are crispy, juicy and sweet. It has good indicators of frost resistance and tolerates diseases quite well.

- "Pink"

Ripens in about three months. The bunches are cone-shaped, the weight does not exceed 250 grams. Fruits are oval, ripe cherry color with a rich nutmeg smell and a characteristic light bloom.

It tolerates short transportation well, since its storage periods are not long. It is very susceptible to diseases and does not tolerate frost.

Muscat grape variety. Landing rules

In terms of planting this species, there should be no difficulties. It is unpretentious and has no landing features. Everything is the same as with ordinary grapes. Before planting, an individual 80 centimeter hole is dug for each seedling on all sides and depth.

In the case of planting not a sapling, but a cutting, planting in rows with a gap between each one from one to one and a half meters is suitable.

A peg is installed in the center of the prepared hole. Its role is to support young grapes. The bottom of the hole is covered with drainage to a height of five to ten centimeters. Gravel and crushed stone will be the best ingredients for this purpose.

Next, I pour a mound of earth onto the prepared drainage, on which, in turn, a seedling is placed. It is important to spread the roots well and distribute them over the entire surface, after which they are covered with earth. The cuttings are simply deepened into the ground, according to the plan of planting in rows, covered with earth and also tied to a peg for support.

Covering the seedling with soil, organic fertilizers are applied 2-3 centimeters deep along the perimeter of the young planting. Humus and peat are best suited for this. When planting in late autumn, mulching up to 10 cm is mandatory.

Before the onset of winter, the seedlings are covered with a film or similar material, since even if a frost-resistant variety is planted, by winter it will not gain enough strength to endure the cold.

Muscat grapes: rules of care

Each variety has its own characteristics in terms of care, growing size and crop use plans. In this article, we will not describe the exceptional features of caring for specific varieties, but we will indicate the main ones applicable to all Muscat grapes.

1. A drip irrigation system is applied to Muscat grapes, especially in cases of plantations of large sizes and areas. Of course, if you grow one or two plants in your summer cottage, then timely moistening of the soil is quite suitable for you as the grapes need. The most frequent and voluminous watering occurs during the growth period of a young plant. And in the process of fruit ripening, moisture is reduced, since excess makes the crop watery.
2. Mulching is performed on landings of any size. Thanks to it, your plant receives top dressing, moisture does not evaporate so quickly, and this, in turn, reduces the frequency of watering.
3. It is preferable to attach the seedlings to the trellis, then you do not have to change the support in accordance with the growth of the grapes.
4. Obligatory annual pruning during periods of early spring or autumn, but always before the onset of cold weather. Perform this procedure using a secateurs. When pruning, they remove all unnecessary shoots, thin out the bush to facilitate harvesting for the next season.
5. Loosening of the soil is performed between the rows and directly under the grape bush. It is important to remember that you should not do deep loosening, as you can damage the root system of the plant. This procedure is performed every one to three weeks, focusing on the composition of the soil, the frequency of watering and climatic conditions.
6. To protect their grapes from pests and diseases, they are sprayed twice a year. And throughout the entire period of growth and development, monitor the condition of the leaves and the entire condition of the grapes in general. And noticing any changes, they are treated with fungicides or insecticides.
7. Before the onset of cold weather, Muscat grapes are covered. Whether or not this procedure is to be performed depends on the growing region.