Black Pearl Grape

Black Pearl grapes are considered a classic raw material in winemaking and are used for the production of sweet and semi-sweet wines. However, due to its excellent taste and softness of the fruit, it is often confused with table species.

Black Pearl is considered a hybrid variety. Obtained not so long ago, it is one of the young crops in viticulture.

Black Pearl was bred by crossing two pairs of grape varieties:

• August and Amursky;

• Levokumsky and the Magarach Centaur.

The hybrid was obtained at VNIIViV them. Ya.I. Potapenko. This grape variety is technical and registered in the register in 2005.

The grapes of this variety are widespread in a temperate climate. It also takes root and bears fruit in the southern regions of the country.

The resulting hybrid is widely used in winemaking. Due to its excellent characteristics, such as taste, yield, the berries of this variety are grown both on an industrial scale and on their own backyards.

It belongs to the mid-early grape varieties, and in the middle lane ripe berries appear already at the beginning of autumn.

If the grapes grow in the southern regions, then ripening begins even earlier, in late July - early August.

The bunches of this grape are cylindro-conical with 1 or 2 wings. A medium-sized bunch weighs about 140 grams.

Berries are medium in size. They have a rounded or slightly oval shape. The skin color of a ripe berry is blue or dark blue with a purple tint. The pulp is white. The berries have a fleshy, juicy structure. The grape of this variety contains up to 25% sugar. The acid content is 6-7 g / l.

Due to its high taste characteristics, the dessert wine obtained from Black Pearl grapes received a good assessment from the experts: 7.6 points out of 10.

Ripe fruits of the Black Pearl have a bright, rich, sweet taste, in which the flavor of nutmeg can be clearly traced.

The taste of this grape variety is influenced by the location of the vineyard. If it is in a sunny area, then most of the berries will taste sweet by the time they ripen.

If the berries grow in a shaded area, some of them will have a sour taste.

After planting the cuttings, at least two years must pass before the plant begins to bear fruit. This variety has a high yield, which is confirmed by the following characteristics:

• up to 140 kg of grapes can be harvested from one hundred square meters of the plantation;

• on each bush, you can grow and collect at least 7 kg of berries.

Due to the good characteristics of this hybrid variety, the cultivation of Black Pearls does not require special conditions.

When planting, you should carefully choose the place of growth of the future vineyard. It should be sunny and calm.

Growing Black Pearl grapes will not cause many problems also because it has high resistance to temperature changes and various types of diseases:

• the variety tolerates a drop in temperature to –26 degrees;

• has resistance to mildew and oidium up to 2 points;

• berries are not prone to being eaten by insects.

Planting can be done both in spring and autumn. The plant takes root equally well, regardless of the time of planting. When planting in the ground, the following conditions must be observed:

• dig a hole;

• moisturize;

• add mineral fertilizers;

• root the plant.

When planting, it is important to observe the required minimum distance between the bushes. It must be at least 1.5 meters.

Pollination of grapes occurs naturally. This grape variety does not require artificial pollination.

The bushes are formed so that their height is no more than a meter. Shoot pruning should be done at least 3-4 buds.

The grapes should be watered at least once a week. In dry weather, the frequency of watering can be increased up to 2-3 times a week.

Top dressing of Black Pearl grapes is made with mineral fertilizers suitable for this type of plants.

During the summer period, 2-3 dressings are carried out. Fertilizers are stopped 1.5 months before the onset of fruit ripening.

Shelter of bushes for the winter period is carried out as follows:

• sawdust is poured under the bush;

• covered with spruce branches from above.

Black Pearl is most susceptible to the following diseases and pests:

• spider mite;

• bacteriosis.

To avoid these diseases, to reduce the risk of their occurrence, it is necessary to treat the plant with acaricidal preparations.

Store grapes in cool rooms, protected from sunlight. Wooden pallets and boxes work well for storage.