Grenache or Garnacha is a grape variety grown in France, Spain, USA and Australia. The culture is considered one of the most ancient and popular, used to make wines. In Spain, it is called Grunch, and the name Grenache is French.
The exact origin of the variety is unknown, but according to some sources, it spread from Spanish Catalonia, and according to others - from Sardinia (Italy). Due to its characteristics, the plant quickly became popular among winemakers.
Features
Garnacha is a technical grape variety used for the production of red and white wines. It is famous for its excellent flexibility, due to which the resulting drinks can have a wide variety of tastes.
Grenache is a heat-loving crop that tolerates drought well and gives a stable high yield. Because of this, it thrives well in dry areas. With an increased level of humidity, it can develop a variety of diseases - powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.
Garancha grapes are not only red, but also white,pink. However, these species are considered rare even in France.
Properties
Garnacha grapes belong to the ecological and geographical group of Western European species. It is characterized by a late ripening period, as it is most often grown in hot areas. The wines obtained from it are characterized by a high level of alcohol - 15% or more. Grapes are used to make varietal drinks with a spicy-berry aroma.
Acidity level
The Garnacha grape variety is described as producing thin-skinned berries. Indicators of acidity and tannin vary depending on climatic conditions, place of growth, yield. Most often, the value remains at a level near the average. But when growing crops on shale lands, rocky soil, concentrated wine is obtained from berries, which is stored for decades. These brushes are of particular value to winemakers.
Features
Garnacha, a grape variety grown in Spain, is distinguished by its vigorous growth and the average number of stepchildren. The culture has small leaves of medium size. They are three-lobed with sharp teeth. The leaf blade is slightly curved, resembling a funnel. The upper part is shiny, and the lower part is slightly pubescent. In general, the vine ripens beautifully.
The culture has a powerful, tall trunk. The bush is so developed that it can be grown as a free-standing tree. The vine is resistant to winds, drought. Because of this, the variety is cultivated in California, Australia. Due to the presence of a powerful root system, the plant is capable of long-termtime goes by without watering. This does not affect the taste of the Garnacha grape variety.
Berries
Culture produces medium cone-shaped bunches. Their density is from loose to stuffed. The berries are characterized by medium size with a dark purple color. The skin is dense, the pulp is juicy, sugary. Because of this feature, the growing season is longer than other varieties. Often the berries fall before they are ripe. This natural selection allows winemakers to obtain only the very best material.
Yields
During the drought, the yield of the variety is 20 q/ha. The number of brushes and the quality of the berries are affected by:
- vine endurance;
- vine resistance to winds, drought;
- excellent frost resistance (the variety can withstand up to 18 degrees below zero);
- unpretentiousness;
- high disease resistance.
Yield is affected by humidity levels. Because of his rise, the culture is sick.
Types of variety
To get a great wine from the Garnacha grape variety, you need to consider the type:
- Grenache Noir with black berries used to make red wine.
- Grenache Gris, from which raspberry flavored wines are made.
- Grenache Blanc is considered rare. The Garnacha Blanca grape variety gives drinks a beautiful straw color.
Growing
Grenache is grown in warm, arid regions. For landing choose open places, as he needsprovide plenty of sunlight. But at the same time, the vineyard must be protected from drafts. The ideal planting period is spring and autumn.
The soil under the grapes must be dry. Ideally, water should not stagnate in it. When planting several bushes, maintain a distance of 2 meters.
In the early years, the vines provide support. It will increase along with the growth of culture. The soil under the bush should be loose and free of weeds.
Frequently moisten new plantings is not necessary, as this can harm the variety. Two waterings are enough during the rooting period, and then the plant is irrigated once a month or less.
Diseases and pests
Grapes can be prone to various diseases and pests. Most often hit by:
- mildew;
- chlorosis;
- rot;
- armillariasis;
- cercosporosis;
- alternariosis;
- oidium;
- rubella foliage.
When affected by mildew or downy mildew, yellow oily spots appear on the leaves. They are small at first, but they grow quickly. A small white coating appears on the back of the sheet. In warm and humid weather, the fungus spreads rapidly, affecting the entire vine, fruits, shoots, mustaches, and inflorescences. To prevent the onset of the disease, the vines are treated every two weeks with a solution of Bordeaux liquid.
Despite the resistance of the variety to Alternaria, this disease can affect the vine. It is characterized by the appearance of an olive coating on the back of the leaves, drying andleaf twisting. Berries affected by the fungus crack.
Alternariosis is treated by treating the vine with copper sulphate, Bordeaux liquid. All affected leaves, brushes are removed.
When rotten berries are found, aspergillosis can be suspected. This disease develops at high temperatures - above 32 degrees. First, an almost imperceptible white coating appears on the berries. Then dark spots form. The skin in places of infection cracks, tightens. From the inside, the berry rots. This environment is favorable for the reproduction of Drosophila flies. To combat the disease, affected berries are collected and destroyed.
Another dangerous grape disease is oidium or powdery mildew. When it affects the green mass, inflorescences, shoots. Infected bushes are unable to produce crops.
When it hits the leaves, the spores of the fungus multiply rapidly. The manifestation of the disease is a white coating on the leaves, a curved edge of yellow. Powdery coating appears on the clusters. Young shoots begin to become covered with dark spots. For treatment, the vines are treated with special preparations (“Topaz”, etc.), and they also monitor the cleanliness of the tool used for pruning the vines and harvesting. Sulfur solution diluted at the rate of 100 grams of the substance per bucket of water gives good results.
Conclusion
When grown properly, Grenache produces a stable, high yield. The variety is considered the best for obtaining wines with different tastes and high strength. However, this grape is difficult to grow in Russia due to lowfrost resistance and sensitivity to high humidity.
