Large-fruited grape varieties for central Russia: reviews

Grapes are always prized by lovers of this crop. They are especially revered large grape varieties. Large fruits are captivating due to their juicy and sweet flavor. Proper vineyard care will yield abundant harvests of this sunny berry. Photos and descriptions will help you understand the grape varieties.

Interesting facts

Grapes were cultivated by the ancient Greeks. Numerous legends have survived to this day about the god Dionysus and the miracles he performed in honor of the grapevine. The Slavs also cultivated the juicy berries. Ancient Russian legends contain numerous references to this miraculous crop.

Grapes are the most beneficial cultivated plant. Even in ancient times, all parts of the plant were considered medicinal. Medicines for the heart and liver were made from the berries, leaves, and stems. There are many beauty recipes for body and face care. Just think of Cleopatra's famous grape baths.

Around the world, there are distinctions between table, industrial, and commercial large-fruited varieties. Table grapes are served fresh; commercial grapes are used for the same purposes, but for sale. Industrial grapes are used to make wines and cognacs.

Large-fruited grape varieties and their characteristics

Large-fruited varieties are especially popular in Russia. Their fruits are very attractive: large, weighing up to 16 grams, and vibrant in color. Colors include light green, lilac, pink, red, raspberry, and bluish-black.

The most popular varieties are highly prized for their flavor. They have been extensively studied and are grown in many nurseries. Here are the best varieties. grapes for the middle zone Russia.

Harold

The berries are of a decent size, oblong, and have a particularly refined flavor. They are used in winemaking, producing Muscat wines. A distinctive feature of this variety is its early ripening. The bunches ripen as early as mid-July, a week earlier than other varieties.

Sphinx

The fruits are large, round, and bluish-black. A ripe bunch weighs approximately 700 g. The vine ripens by the end of July. The plant is considered an early ripener. It has a well-developed root system, indicating robustness.

Laura

It also has another name: Flora. It was developed in Ukraine. The berries are large and light green. They have unique flavor nuances and are very sweet. When ripe, the grapes reach 4 centimeters in diameter.

Augustine

Another name is Pleven. It ripens in the last ten days of July. The berries are large and sweet. When ripe, they turn white. A special feature is the high yield. It is suitable even for novice gardeners, as it is easy to grow.

Paula

It ripens early. The fruits are large and oval. Ripe grapes are dark red. The flesh is juicy and very tasty. Pola grapes are considered a table grape and pair well with meat dishes.

Biruintsa

Ripe fruits reach 28 g. This is a very productive variety. Ripe bunches weigh about two kilograms. The plant is a vine-like plant, suitable for arbors.

Bagotyanovsky

The fruits are large, weighing 20 g or more when ripe. The clusters are cone-shaped, reaching a weight of 1100 g. The flesh is golden-yellow. It has a rich flavor.

Anyuta

The clusters are large. The fruits are a rich red hue. The flavor is a vibrant Muscat. This variety is mid-season. It is very demanding in cultivation and susceptible to various diseases.

Ataman

A very distinctive variety. Ripe berries are large and dark red. The flavor is excellent. This grape is recommended for growing in arid regions. Its characteristic feature is that the berries burst when exposed to moisture.

Memory of a surgeon

The plant's clusters are not particularly large. However, the berries are large, slightly elongated, with pointed tips. They have a pleasant pink hue and a rich flavor. This variety is a wine grape and is included in some Italian wines.

Karmacode

This variety is distinguished by its unusually shaped berries: unripe, they are pink, oblong, and pointed at the tips. When ripe, they turn bluish-black. They are very sweet. Vineyards should not be planted in areas with frequent rainfall, as moisture can cause the berries to burst.

A new gift to Ukraine

The fruits are large. They have a thin skin that's barely noticeable. A ripe berry can weigh up to 12 g. The plant itself is frost-resistant and has strong disease resistance. However, it does not tolerate direct sunlight.

Richelieu

The fruits are large and round, reaching a weight of 12 grams or more. The clusters are loose. Ripe grapes have a blue tint. It is not recommended to leave ripe berries on the vine for long periods of time. It is better to cut the clusters immediately. This will ensure they retain their attractive appearance for a long time.

Scarlet-2

The fruits have a subtle flavor, making them highly prized. Ripe bunches weigh 900 g. The fruits are large, weighing up to 10 g.

Grape nurseries

Some gardeners have dedicated their lives to growing grapes. They own entire nurseries where select selected and cultivated varieties grow. Their names are known throughout the world. Here are the most famous.

Nursery of breeder Zagorulko (Zaporozhye)

The following varieties are grown in the vineyards:

1. Sofia. Early-ripening, unisexual grape variety. Ripe bunches reach 2.5 kg and have a pleasant pink hue. The berries are juicy and large, with a rich Muscat flavor. They are highly marketable. The plant ripens in the first weeks of August.
2. Furshetny. It's a hybrid. The berries are very large, up to 25 grams. They have a purple tint and are shaped like a plum.
3. Ruslan. The berries are beautiful and large, reaching up to 30 mm in diameter. They have a rich purple color. Slightly elongated with rounded sides, they resemble plums. This is an early-ripening variety, ripening in early August.
4. Levia. Ripe berries are a delicate pink color and round in shape. They reach 30 millimeters in diameter. They have a delicate pink color and a rich Muscat flavor.

Nursery of breeder Kraynov (Rostov region, Novocherkask)

These vineyards have the following characteristics:

1. Transfiguration. A hybrid variety. The bushes are medium-sized. The flowers are bisexual. The berries are crimson when ripe. They are large, reaching 30 millimeters in diameter. They are oblong and oval. The clusters weigh up to 3 kilograms. The flesh is juicy and fleshy. The grapes are frost-resistantHowever, it should be covered for winter. It is resistant to fungal diseases. The variety ripens in mid-August.
2. Victor. It produces large berries, up to 25 mm in diameter. It ripens over a long period of time. Although considered an early-ripening variety, harvesting begins in early September.
3. Bagatyansky. This is one of the largest-fruited varieties. The berries reach 50 grams in weight. They are round and a rich light green color. Ripe bunches weigh up to 3 kilograms or more. The harvest begins in early September.
4. Marshal'sky. The berries are large, reaching 25 grams in weight. They have an oval, slightly elongated shape. The flavor is rich. A distinctive feature of this variety is that the older the bush, the richer and more vibrant the flavor bouquet of the berries.
5. Nakhodka. This is a soft-seeded hybrid. The fruits are large, reaching 30 mm in diameter. They are slightly elongated, round, and pink in color. Mature bunches weigh about a kilogram.

Breeder's nursery Voronyuk

The main feature of the nursery is the large-fruited varieties grown:

1. Lord. This is a vigorous plant. The berries ripen simultaneously. They are large, reaching 25 mm in diameter. The shape is round, slightly elongated. The color is a rich light green. Mature bunches weigh over a kilogram.
2. Pereyaslavskaya Rada. A hybrid variety. The berries are large, reaching 25 mm in length, slightly elongated, and barrel-shaped. They are pink in color. Harvesting takes place in early September. The plant is hardy, frost- and disease-resistant, and not prone to pea formation.
3. Nika. It produces beautiful clusters of large grapes. The berries weigh up to 30 g and are plum-colored. It is a very early hybrid. The harvest begins in late August.

Pavlovsky's nursery

The nursery is characterized by the following grape varieties:

1. Monarch. The berries are large, pear-shaped, reaching 40 mm in diameter. Ripe clusters weigh over a kilogram. The plant is a hybrid and is frost- and disease-resistant. Harvesting is best done in the last ten days of August.
2. Lelik. The berries are large, weighing about 20 grams. They have a plum-shaped form. Mature clusters weigh over one and a half kilograms. This plant is an early-ripening hybrid variety. The harvest is recommended around the 20th of August.
3. Lily of the Valley. This variety gets its name from its strong muscat aroma. The berries are large and plum-shaped, reaching 25 mm in diameter. Mature clusters weigh up to one and a half kilograms.

American breeders' nurseries

The collection of large-fruited vineyards is quite large:

1. Jupiter. The berries are bluish-black. They are larger in diameter than a 5-kopeck coin. They are delicious with a light strawberry aroma. Ripe bunches reach 1.5 kg. A distinctive feature of this variety is the almost complete absence of seeds. If seeds are present in the pulp, they have a soft texture. This is a super-early variety. Frost-hardy and disease-resistant.
2. Red Flame. Berries reach 25 grams and are a crimson-brown color. Mature clusters weigh over one and a half kilograms. A distinctive feature is the absence of seeds. This is an early-ripening variety. The harvest is in mid-September.
3. Pharaoh. Large fruits, reaching 30 mm in diameter, have a rich, dark blue hue. Ripening time is early September. This hybrid variety has a well-developed root system and a strong structure. It is resistant to fungal diseases.
4. Centenary. The berries are large, over 35 mm in diameter. They are elongated in shape and have fleshy, juicy flesh with a distinct green color. They are completely seedless. Mature clusters weigh up to 1.5 kg.
5. Sogdiana. The berries are large, reaching 30 grams. They are blue-black in color. Mature clusters are up to 40 cm long. Harvesting is recommended early, in mid-August.
6. Rubisidlis. The berries are large and dark in color. They have a plum-like shape. Ripe bunches reach 1.5 kg. This is an early-ripening variety. It is harvested from the vineyard as early as late August. A distinctive feature of this variety is its ability to withstand severe frosts down to -20 degrees Celsius.
7. Sagraion. The berries are large, weighing 25 g. They are egg-shaped and green. The flesh is juicy and crisp. A distinctive feature of this variety is the bushes' well-developed structure.
8. Sigma. The berries are large, reaching 20 grams in weight. They have a delicate pink hue. Slightly elongated, oval-shaped, and ripe bunches weigh over 3 kg. This variety is one of the most productive hybrids. It ripens in the first ten days of September.

Commercial large-fruited grape varieties

Some grape varieties are considered commercial. They not only meet all taste standards, but also attract attention with their beauty and withstand transportation well. The following are considered the best:

Tips for those wishing to get involved in viticulture

With proper care, grapevines delight with their harvests. They can bear fruit for up to 80, even 100 years. In Russian latitudes, a beginning vineyard owner shouldn't chase after new varieties. Without proper care, you could just waste your time.

When planting a vineyard, you should consider:

• landing site;
• placement of grape varieties;
• soil characteristics;
• climatic conditions.

It's best to plant grapes in the southern part of the plot, at a higher elevation. Grapes planted in low areas will be exposed to cold, damp air, which will adversely affect their fruiting.

Experienced winegrowers plant early-ripening and late-ripening grapes separately, as they require different feeding, watering, and other care times. When purchasing seedlings, choose vines with different ripening periods. This way, you'll enjoy fresh fruit all season long.

When caring for berry vines, soil characteristics should be taken into account. A soil analysis is a good idea for a beginning winegrower before planting. Even with today's advances in breeding, not all varieties thrive in cold climates. For these growing conditions, it's important to select varieties that can withstand severe frosts and spring frosts, and have a well-developed root system.

Reviews from amateur winegrowers

Anton, 40 years old

I'm growing Ataman. It's a good plant, producing good yields. The fruit is delicious. But there's one drawback: as soon as it rains, the berries burst. I'll probably give up on this variety. We've hardly tried these berries. The crops are ruined by the rain.

Vladimir, 69 years old

I grow many interesting varieties in my nursery. However, I'd like to highlight Alom-2. It produces good yields and is a large-fruited variety. The berries are large, weighing up to 10 g. I grow this table variety for sale. I'm very pleased with the results.

Nikita, 51 years old

Of all my vineyards, I'd like to highlight the Harold variety. It's very low-maintenance. I insulate it for the winter and prune it. The vineyard grows behind the house, where it receives maximum heat. It produces good yields. The fruit is delicious. The whole family eats it ripe. We also make juices and homemade wine.

All varieties, without exception, are delicious. They are eaten fresh. However, they are differentiated by purpose. Commercial varieties are sold commercially, while wine varieties are used to make excellent wine and juices.