North Saperavi grape

The Saperavi North grape is a grape cultivated primarily for making wine, but, in terms of taste, it is quite suitable for fresh consumption. In addition to the wine of the same name, this grape is used in the preparation of more than 10 different types of wines. The Saperavi grape variety is characterized by high yields and good winter hardiness. The vine is capable of enduring fairly cold winters without shelter.

Saperavi grapes: description of the variety and characteristics

What Saperavi grapes look like: photo of the variety

The Saperavi grape needs no introduction. This variety is known not only in Georgia; it has been grown for more than one century. Saperavi, translated from Georgian, means "paint", which is quite consistent with the peculiarities of this variety. Saperavi grapes are characterized by an increased concentration of the coloring matter. For the same reason, grapes are sometimes called Saperavi-Dyer, used for coloring other wines and drinks.

In gardens, as a rule, the northern variety of this vine is cultivated, which is distinguished by its high frost resistance. The Saperavi North grape appeared in the middle of the last century, it is a hybrid of two varieties - Saperavi and North. Despite the fact that the North Saperavi grapes are approved for cultivation in the Volga region and in the North Caucasus, the plant, according to gardeners from other regions, can withstand temperatures down to minus 27 - 30 degrees.

The Saperavi North grape variety is characterized as a technical grape variety. That is, first of all, it is intended for processing. The variety is perfect for making juices, wines, soft drinks, as well as for the production of raisins and raisins. The ripening period of grapes is medium late, its growing season is at least 3.5 months.

Saperavi North grapes: photo of the variety

The Saperavi wine grape has rounded leaves, medium size, and bisexual flowers. A bunch of ripe grapes weighs about 200 g, closer to a conical shape.

The fruits of the Saperavi grape variety have a rich dark blue color with a waxy bloom inherent in the grapes. By the way, the thicker this layer, the better and longer the grapes are preserved. Pruin, as it is also called a wax coating, protects fruits from mechanical damage, changes in weather conditions, the effects of various pathogenic microorganisms and moisture evaporation.

The fruits of the grapes are of the correct oval shape, weighing up to 1.2 grams. The number of seeds in a berry is no more than 5. The pulp of the berries is juicy, the taste is harmonious. It should be noted that the juiciness and taste of Saperavi grapes is one of the prerequisites for classifying the variety as technical, because for the production of wines, as well as various drinks, berries are required, containing a large amount of juice.

The Saperavi Severny grape variety is also characterized by moderate drought resistance. The shedding of flowers is rarely observed, the berries are practically not susceptible to peas.

Shooting of Saperavi grapes begins at the end of September. The variety is distinguished by high and stable yields. Subject to the agricultural technology of cultivation, up to 115 centners are harvested from one hectare.

Planting rules for Saperavi grapes

Severny Saperavi grapes are planted in autumn, so that the seedling has time to root well and prepare for wintering. This period falls on the end of September - early October, but no later than two weeks before the onset of the expected cold weather.Experts note that the autumn planting of grapes contributes to a faster development of the root system and easy adaptation of seedlings. If you decide to plant grapes in spring, then you need to do this from mid-May until the end of the first decade of June.

The choice of planting material must be approached responsibly. Seedlings should be purchased from proven and well-known producers, or nurseries, otherwise you risk buying a completely different variety. For planting, a one-year-old seedling up to half a meter in height, up to 1 cm thick is optimal. Healthy shoots are characterized by a green cut, the presence of white roots and already ripe buds. Before planting, seedlings of Saperavi grapes should be placed in water for at least a day so that the root system is saturated with moisture and the plant can more easily transfer planting. After that, the roots need to be pruned a little, and the Saperavi grape seedling should be shortened, leaving no more than 4 eyes.

Saperavi North grapes: photo of the variety

The area for growing vines should be well lit, since the taste of the fruit and the yield are directly dependent on the amount of sunlight. In this case, the landing site should be located on the southern, western or southwestern side. In the case when the terrain has a slope, grapes are planted in its central part. Other cultivated crops, such as fruit trees, must be at least 5 meters away so that they do not obstruct the grapes. It is not worth planting Saperavi grapes in the lowlands, since there is a high probability of freezing. In addition, the Saperavi Severny wine grape variety does not tolerate high humidity.

The diameter of the planting pit can be up to 1 meter. At the bottom of the hole, it is necessary to pour a layer of crushed stone at least 10 cm thick. Slightly stepping back from the edge of the hole, it is necessary to install a pipe with a diameter of at least 5 cm, which will be used to water the seedling. Next, a layer of fertile soil, 15-20 cm thick, is poured into the pit and potassium-phosphate fertilizers are applied. In the absence of mineral fertilizers, wood ash will completely replace them. Then, a layer of earth is poured again, fertilizers are again applied and the soil is again covered. At least five buckets of water are poured into the hole and the hole is left in this state for one or two months.

After this time, a small elevation is formed from the soil, a seedling is placed on it, carefully correcting the roots, and then the earth is poured into the hole. The soil is tamped a little and watered well. Next, the near-stem circle is covered with a film, and the seedling itself is placed under a plastic bottle. After the plant takes root and grows, the film cover and plastic container are removed.

North Saperavi grapes: variety care

Saperavi grapes: photo of the wine variety

The Saperavi grape variety will delight you with a rich harvest every season in response to proper care of it. Saperavi North does not require any special care, however, there are a number of nuances that you need to know in order to ensure the correct growth and development of the vine.

Watering the Saperavi Severny grapes after wintering begins as soon as the snow melts. Shoots up to three years old are watered through a pipe installed in the hole during planting.

Under each bush, it is necessary to add at least four buckets of settled and warm water.

During the entire growing season, several abundant watering is carried out. The first time is about a week before the buds begin to bloom. Then - at the end of the flowering of the grapes. In late autumn, in order for the plant to overwinter more easily and without losses, the grapes should also be well watered.

When the berries begin to ripen and gradually turn blue, watering should be stopped.

If you plan to grow Saperavi Severny grapes exclusively for making wine, one watering before winter is enough for the grapes.

The Saperavi Severny grape variety responds well to fertilizing with both complex mineral fertilizers and organic matter. If, when planting seedlings of Saperavi grapes, fertilizers were applied in the required amount, then the next top dressing can be done after 3 - 4 years. By this time, the plant is already formed and ready for fruiting.

The first top dressing is done in the spring, adding a complex of mineral substances to each bush, consisting of carbamide, potassium and superphosphate. The plant is fertilized by introducing substances into specially prepared small grooves, which are then sprinkled with soil.

Among organic fertilizers, it is recommended to use peat, humus and bird droppings. Moreover, it is better to make such dressings one by one.

Chicken droppings can be applied about one week before the grapes bloom. To prepare top dressing, two parts of water are taken for one part of the fertilizer. The resulting mixture is insisted for at least 10 days. For watering plants, the infused solution is diluted in a ratio of one to five. Additionally, in a bucket or other container used, add a tablespoon of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

It is better to apply such nitrogen-containing dressings before mid-July. In the future, the plant should consume nutrients for the formation and ripening of fruits, and not the growth of green mass, which is stimulated by nitrogen fertilizers.

When the Saperavi grapes begin to ripen, the bushes are watered with a solution of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Top dressing can also be applied dry to the trunk circle or the plants can be sprayed with a solution of mineral substances.

Saperavi North grapes: photo of the variety

Pruning grapes is one of the prerequisites for obtaining high yields.

Pruning is carried out in the fall, at the end of the growing season of the bush. Such a procedure, in addition to increasing yields, also rejuvenates the plant, increasing the life of the vine. In the spring, they are limited to carrying out sanitary pruning, during which dried or diseased shoots are removed.

As a rule, as a result of pruning, no more than 8 sleeves remain on young bushes. On adult bushes, young shoots up to half a meter long are removed. For shoots more than 80 cm in length, the formed stepsons are removed and the tops are cut off by 8-10 cm.

In the summer, you need to timely cut off the leaves and those shoots that cover the bunch of grapes from the sun. Such a procedure will contribute to the rapid and uniform ripening of the berries.

It has been repeatedly noted that Saperavi Severny tolerates frosts well. However, if the winter is with little snow, it is still better to cover the bushes. The vine is carefully removed from the support, after which it is covered with spruce branches. Then, in the form of a hut, a pair of arcs are installed, over which a special covering material is pulled. It is important that such a shelter allows fresh air to enter.

North Saperavi grapes: reviews of gardeners

Saperavi grapes: photo of the variety

Gardeners who practice the cultivation of grapevine, even novice gardeners are advised not to be afraid to grow this variety, it is so unpretentious in maintenance, resistant to frost, as well as to changes in climatic conditions.

Also, in all, without exception, reviews indicate a consistently rich yield of Saperavi North grapes.

But the opinion of gardeners about the need to shelter the bushes for the winter was divided, some, from among those living in the central regions, shelter grapes regardless of the expected winter temperatures, while others note that the bushes, not for the first year, winter well without shelter.

Saperavi North grape: video about the wine variety

In addition to the positive feedback from gardeners, an unconditional confirmation of the excellent qualities inherent in the Saperavi North grape variety is its demand for half a century. And for those who are just going to experiment with the cultivation of grapevines, the Saperavi grape variety is perfect.