Overview of black grape varieties and their beneficial properties

Grapes are in demand among buyers almost all year round. And this is not surprising - with such a variety, everyone can find "something of their own." It can have different characteristics, ranging from color (from light shades to black) and taste (sour, sweet, sweet and sour) to some minor properties (for example, suitability for making wine). Many gardeners try to grow several varieties of both white and dark berry crops at once. Each type has its own advantages, and their discussion would take too long, so this article will be devoted only to black grapes, an overview of its most popular varieties, and the beneficial properties of this plant.

Beneficial features

On average, white and red species are more common than black, although it is practically in no way inferior to them, the requirements for growing are also not very different. Black prevails only in areas where industrial winemaking is established. Some varieties of this culture can grow wild in nature. In addition to being used for winemaking, black grapes are often used fresh, less often in ice cream and dried form. The last two options are not so bad in terms of nutrients, because this type will be useful for any method of consumption.

It's no secret that black grapes contain many different substances. Among the vitamins, C and K are most contained (strengthen the immune system), beta-carotene (favorably affects vision), as well as several other types of vitamins, glucose, fructose and dozens of substances present in small quantities. It also contains a lot of antioxidants, the main function of which is to protect the plant from bacteria and fungi. In the human body, they block the occurrence of inflammatory processes, improve well-being in chronic ailments. Monosaccharides help to remove toxins and toxins from the body. Small portions every day will help replenish the body with macro- and microelements, in particular potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, selenium are present in small amounts.

Black grapes are not only beneficial when taken internally. Even the ancient Egyptians knew about the positive effects of grapes on the skin. Some of the active ingredients inherent in the fruits make the skin firm and elastic, and cosmetologists have skillfully used this. For example, on the shelves you can see a variety of cosmetics with black grape extract.

Varieties

Now there are a lot of black grape varieties, since such a science as selection does not stand still. All new varieties appear, often bred under certain conditions. Consider the most popular for our latitudes.

Black finger is a mid-season grape of American origin (ripens in about 120-130 days). The name of the grapes "Black Finger" comes from the finger-like shape of the berries, each weighing 10-12 g, the bunches, in turn, are huge and the average weight exceeds one kilogram, it can even almost reach two, but at the same time they are highly transportable. It has a very high sugar content, so it tastes very sweet.Frost-resistant, average immunity to diseases, one of the main advantages is stable and high yield. The bush has high vigor, with a load of about 30 eyes. In some parts of Ukraine it is used as a covering form of grapes.

Grapes Black pearls are preferably used for making wine. The mid-early variety, as a rule, ripens in the first part of September, but even earlier in the warm southern regions - in August. The bunches are medium-sized (about 300 g), cylindrical or cylindrical-conical. The berries are medium in size, round or slightly oval in shape. Crop yield, sugar content and acidity of fruits - all these characteristics are kept at the level of average indicators for black grape varieties, but the tasting assessment of wine (both young and aged for dessert) made from “pearls” is very high. Frost-resistant, but susceptible to diseases, most often - powdery mildew.

Black Emerald grapes are also of American selection, seedless early ripening variety (fruits ripen at the end of July, that is, no later than 110 days). The bunches are conical, dense, with an average weight of about half a kilogram. The berries are round and oval in shape, with dense pulp, weighing up to 5 g each, the taste is characteristic (the skin is not tart), nutmeg is well felt in the aroma. The yield is high, but there is a tendency to overload the bushes. Vigorous bushes with good vine maturation. Able to withstand frosts up to 20-23 degrees.

Grapes Original black refers to table varieties of medium ripening. The bunches are not very dense, but weighty - 500-650 g, the berries are also quite large - 7-10 g, longitudinal. Differs in low sugar content (about 15%), simple taste, but at the same time high tasting assessment of fresh fruits. Requires tremendous attention in pruning and other procedures. The yield is small, but it can be significantly increased with the help of agrotechnical methods. Differs in increased winter hardiness and increased immunity to many typical diseases.

Black Prince is a grape of French origin, a technical variety. Ripens in about 120-125 days, that is, it belongs to the mid-early varieties. Like many representatives of black grapes, it has a vigorous bush and good maturation of the vine, the flower is bisexual. A distinctive feature is huge berries and a bunch. The weight of a bunch depends on the care of the plant - from 800 g to 1.5 kg, conical shape, egg-shaped berries, weighing 10-12 g. They have fleshy flesh with a high sugar content. It is resistant only to some types of diseases, withstands frosts up to 25 degrees.

The black Pinot grape is the result of clonal selection from the Pinot Noir variety, bred back in the 40s of the last century. Like the original form, the mid-early ripening period, belongs to the category of wine varieties, but differs from the original form in a significantly higher yield, therefore it successfully replaces it. A bunch of medium size (100-120 g), very dense, with a short stem. Small to medium sized round berries with juicy flesh. The sugar content and acidity of the fruits are average. It is frost-hardy enough (it can withstand up to -20), but it is advisable to grow in regions with warm winters, very picky about the soil, requires constant protection from diseases and pests.

Odessa black grapes are a product of the work of Ukrainian breeders. Corresponding to the name, the culture was zoned in the Odessa region and the neighboring - Nikolaev region. As a rule, it is used for the preparation of high-quality table and dessert wines; accordingly, the wine tasting score is high. Plants with abundant leaves. A cluster of medium size (150-200 g), loose, conical in shape, with a thick long stem. The berries are small, round, with a waxy coating. The taste is pleasant, with a cherry-thorn aroma.Odessa black grapes are immune to gray rot; resistance to most diseases has not yet been determined.

Autumn black grapes are one of the few varieties of a later ripening period. The bunch and berries are relatively large: the former reach a mass of 600-800 g, dense, conical, the latter - 8-10 g, oblong, with the only drawback - they are prone to cracking when humidity conditions change. It is also often affected by gray mold. Indicators of sugar content and acidity: 15-18% and 7-9 g / l, respectively. Advantages: high yield, good transportability, frost resistance.

Above are reviews of the most popular black grape varieties in our country, which are adapted for cultivation in our climatic conditions. In addition to them, one can also note the good varieties of Crow, Sultan, Doctor, Moldovan black grapes are also in some demand.

Video "The best grape varieties"

In this video, a detailed description of the characteristics of the most popular grape varieties, including black ones. Review of some rare varieties.