What makes the old Don variety unique - Krasnostop Zolotovsky grape

What winter hardiness does Krasnostop Zolotovsky grape have? This variety was recommended to me by friends as one of the best for winemaking. I want to order seedlings in the spring, but I'm interested in how they will winter in the middle lane. I have several technical grades. A couple winters like this, and I cover one after it froze well during its first winter. Do I need to cover Krasnostop, and at what time does it mature for mass harvesting?

The wine from this grape is very tasty, sweet, rich ruby ​​color and with an original aroma. It has an amazing combination of fresh menthol and sweet vanilla notes, which are diluted with fruit plums, blackberries and cherries. The ancient Krasnostop Zolotovsky grape, respected by all winemakers, to this day does not yield its leadership to modern hybrids. And they grow it in the old fashioned way, using traditional agricultural techniques. And on their own roots, without grafting on the American stock. The variety's own immunity is quite enough to protect the bush from diseases, if properly cared for.

Features and characteristics of Don grapes

The history of the origin of the variety is rather ambiguous. According to one version, it is argued that the grape shanks were brought from France in 1812 when the Cossacks returned from the campaign. However, there are documented facts that Krasnostop grew up on the Don long before that time. Therefore, other scientists claim that the variety was brought back in the 8th century from Dagestan vineyards. The last theory of the Don grape origin was developed and scientifically proved by Swiss scientists. After examining the DNA of three local varieties, including Krasnostop, they compared them with a database of varieties. Since no coincidences were found, the variety was recognized as an aborigine of the Don region (autochthonous).

The Krasnostop variety got its name at home, from the Don Cossacks, who call the vine a foot. The bushes of this variety are easily recognizable by their red ridge. The main region of industrial cultivation of the variety is the Krasnodar Territory and the Rostov Region.

The Krasnostop Zolotovsky grape represents a line of technical varieties with medium ripening periods. The bushes do not grow very quickly, but the young vine is fully ripe by the end of the season. The leaves are not very large and even smallish, rounded, with five lobes and small denticles along the edge. The reverse side of the plates is covered with short pubescence, and the petioles and veins are colored red.

The variety is resistant to diseases (oidium, mildew) and drought. Frost resistance is average, but the bushes are capable of rapid self-renewal.

Productivity and taste characteristics

Krasnostop will not surprise with a high yield, moreover, it directly depends on the growing conditions. The largest and densest clusters, weighing up to 150 g, ripen on moist soils in warm regions. With a lack of moisture, the brushes are tied small, loose and 2 times less in weight.

As with all technical varieties, Krastostop's grapes are also small. The bush blooms in mid-June, and in early September, conical clusters ripen no more than 15 cm long. The berries are small, weighing only about 1 g each, covered with an average thickness of a dark blue skin with a waxy bloom. But the pulp is very juicy, sugary (up to 27%).There is also a lot of acid in grapes, sometimes up to 9%, but it leaves as it ripens. Therefore, the harvest is not harvested immediately, but when the berries are almost overripe.

Grapes Krasnostop Zolotovsky - the pros and cons of the variety

The old Don variety has many advantages:

• it can be used to make both table and semi-dessert wines;
• even in case of freezing, the bushes quickly recover;
• berries are juicy and sweet;
• the plant rarely gets sick.

Two factors can be considered disadvantages. Firstly, the yield is highly dependent on soil moisture, and secondly, immunity to diseases can be "broken" by improper care. In addition, a good harvest with minimal hassle is obtained only in warm regions. In the middle lane, the vineyards need shelter for the winter (digging in the vine).

Video review of Krasnostop grapes