Bianca grapes: characteristics and description of the variety, planting and care

The Hungarian grape variety Bianca is popular among gardeners in the southern regions of Russia and the CIS countries. Technical grape The variety is prized for its excellent flavor and consistent yield. Its berries are used to produce high-quality wines and spirits (cognacs and grappas).

Unpretentious grape It bears fruit successfully in most Russian regions. Reviews and descriptions indicate that it requires standard, uncomplicated care. Beginner gardeners can easily grow the Bianca variety in their garden.

Description of the variety

The grape was developed by Hungarian breeders; the parent grapes are Chasselas Bouvier and the famous sweet Villard Blanc. The vines are medium-vigorous, with dense shoots. Ripening is 90-100%.

It is distinguished by rapid rooting of cuttings and vigorous growth of young vines. The leaves have five distinct lobes and are dark green. The bushes are very decorative in appearance, making Bianca a popular choice for landscaping.

The harvest is ready for picking in 120 days (early variety). In southern regions, the berries are harvested in early August. After planting, the first clusters appear in the third year. Each shoot bears 2-3 inflorescences.

Variety frost-resistantIt can withstand temperatures as low as -27ºC. This allows Bianca to be grown in regions with short summers and harsh climates. However, industrial varieties are primarily cultivated in the south. Thanks to its robust growth, the vine quickly recovers from frost.

Usage:

• preparation of table and dessert wines;
• vodka production;
• production of cognacs of varying aging and strength.

Wine experts note the pleasant taste of wine drinks made from Bianca berries.

This grape variety is resistant to pests, carrying a resistance gene at the genetic level. This allows for minimal chemical treatment of the vineyards, resulting in an environmentally friendly product.

Characteristics of fruits

By August, small, conical clusters form on the vines. With proper care, they grow to 170-200 grams. The grapes are round, weighing 2-2.5 grams. The color is greenish, and as they ripen, the skins acquire warm amber hues.

The pulp contains a large amount of water, with a sugar content of 28%. It usually contains 2-3 seeds. The skin is thin but strong.

Acidity levels are above average—7%—so experienced winegrowers prefer to leave the berries on the vine for a while. Two to three weeks are sufficient for the fruit to develop sweetness and the acidity to decrease. The alcohol content is 14% (high).

Yield: 180-200 kg per hectare. Fruiting rate of the vines: 80-85%.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Bianca is included in the list of the best wine varieties, recommended for cultivation in industrial quantities.

Advantages:

• early harvest;
• disease resistance;
• stable yields in regions with different climatic conditions;
• high content of sugars, alcohols, moderate acidity;
• successful survival on rootstock;
• stays on the bushes for a long time and does not fall off;
• responds well to molding.

The berries are used in a variety of ways, although they are mostly used as raw materials in winemaking.

Flaws:

• protection from wasps and birds is required;
• The small size of the bunches makes manual harvesting difficult;
• The bushes need to have their load regulated.

The shortcomings are compensated by the excellent taste of the berries and the ease of caring for the vineyard.

Planting grapes

The crop is grown in one place for a long time, so a suitable site is selected in advance. The location should be sunny and protected from winds. In regions with a short summer season, the best sites for vineyards are those facing south.

Slightly acidic or neutral soils are desirable. Acidic soils are improved by adding chalk, dolomite flour, and lime. On sandy soils, humus or rotted cow manure is added. These amendments improve the structure and permeability of the soil.

Time landings The planting time is determined based on the region's climate. When planting seedlings in spring, the best time is late March or early April (weather permitting). In autumn, Bianca is planted in early October. The soil should be warmed to 10ºC, and the air temperature should be 10ºC to 11ºC.

Saplings are planted in holes spaced 70-80 cm apart. The holes should be at least 60-80 cm deep. A drainage layer (10-15 cm) and a nutrient mixture are required. A stake is placed in the hole beforehand to support the seedling.

Features of agricultural technology

This variety requires standard care. It's enough to follow basic agricultural practices, regularly treat the plantings for pests, and shape the bushes.

Watering

Bianca is a moisture-loving plant. grape, so don't allow the soil to dry out. Water into holes or specially dug trenches. For larger areas, drip irrigation systems are recommended. The recommended watering rate for a mature plant is 6-7 liters (depending on the weather and plant condition). On hot days, water more frequently, every other day.

Mulching the soil is essential to slow moisture evaporation. Suitable mulches include:

• straw;
• sawdust;
• foliage.

When using mulch, the soil dries slowly and weeds do not grow.

In the fall, when rainfall is low, perform a moisture-replenishing irrigation. This will provide moisture to the roots and increase the shoots' frost resistance.

Top dressing

The main fertilizer is added to the holes when planting the seedlings. No additional fertilizer is added for the next three years.

Mature bushes need regular fertilizing:

• organic matter (once every two years, 4-5 kg ​​per square meter);
• mineral fertilizers (3-4 times per season).

In spring, before the flowers appear on the bushes, water Bianca with solutions of urea and potassium salt. Feed it a second time when the grapes have reached the size of peas. Reduce the dose of nitrogen fertilizers and increase the rate of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

During the period when the berries are filled with juice and ripening, it is recommended to feed vineyard potassium salt, superphosphate, ash infusion.

After harvesting the fruits, it is recommended to treat the bushes with special compounds containing microelements: Polydon Iodine, MicroMix and others.

In cloudy weather, spraying the grape leaves with solutions of Master, Novofert, and Kemira gives a good effect.

Formation and pruning of technical varieties

Bianca produces a high yield when planted densely and pruned using the cup-shaped technique. This method is suitable for southern regions; pruning is done starting in the second year, with 2-3 buds.

Training is carried out over the course of 4-5 years. It is advisable to form compact cups to reduce stress on the shoots. The standard height is 80-100 cm (if grown without a trellis). Cultivation on a simplified trellis with a single wire is also practiced.

Autumn pruning is performed on mature shoots, before the vines are covered in a trench for the winter. The main work is postponed until spring, with pruning done before the buds begin to open.

In addition to removing weak, overgrown vines, they also remove old branches and regulate the required load on the bushes.

Disease prevention and pest control

This Hungarian-bred variety is distinguished by its resistance to various grape diseases. Gardeners across the region have noted Bianca's resistance to mildew and oidium.

But this technical grape In some years, it is affected by Alternaria. Bianca is susceptible to one type of infection, tenuissima disease (brown rot on leaves). Preventative treatments are necessary:

• Fast;
• Ridomil;
• Convertible Top.

A traditional remedy, Bordeaux mixture, also helps. Treatments are carried out when 2-3 leaves have opened on the bushes.

The variety is not susceptible to insect attacks; even the dangerous phylloxera poses no threat to this grape. The real scourge is the wasps and birds that plague vineyard owners in late summer.

To combat the birds, protective nets, covers, and covering materials are used. Ultrasonic devices that repel flocks of birds are also effective.

To protect against wasps, a range of measures is needed:

• extermination of wasp nests on the site;
• use of smoke bombs;
• making traps from plastic bottles;
• sugar bait near grape plantings.

A thin non-woven material is suitable for protecting the vines. Using just one method is ineffective; a well-thought-out and comprehensive vineyard protection is required.

The productive Bianca grape doesn't produce the beautiful, massive clusters of table varieties. However, it's easy to grow, frost-resistant, and its berries are noted for their high sugar content and juiciness. This grape variety produces excellent wines and cognacs.

Reviews

Alena, Tver

I call this grape the Steadfast Tin Soldier. It's reliable and produces berries in any year. It's not as pretty to look at as, say, Crystal, but the wine is delicious. I pick it and ripen it in a crate; the sugar content has increased by almost 3% in eight days. Unfortunately, the berries ripen a little late for our region, but otherwise, it's a good variety!

Vladimir, Stary Oskol

I ordered Bianca from friends. It's been growing for six years. I harvest a bucket (9 liters) per bush. The bushes cover about three meters. There are few side shoots, and the vines are ripening beautifully. In the first two years, thrushes devoured the entire harvest. This year, I removed leaves near the clusters before flowering. Pollination was excellent. The berries have a sugar content of 21 BRI. The taste is excellent, but I grow them specifically for wine. I want to plant three more bushes.