Description and characteristics of the Isabella grape variety

Grape

The Isabella grape variety is popular among winegrowers in central Russia. This undemanding plant successfully adapts to its challenging climate, producing excellent harvests.

At the same time, in the south, Isabella is grown less frequently, with preference given to high-yielding sweet varietals.

The story of Isabella's appearance

A wonderful variety emerged in America, with nature itself as the breeder. This variety with incredibly fragrant bunches was discovered by W. Prince, an American viticulturist. This happened in the early 19th century, and the variety was named after Isabella Gibbs, the wife of the owner of the Long Island Territory.

In the middle of the last century, Isabella was introduced to the Soviet republics, where the grape was beloved for its undemanding nature, resistance to infections, and excellent yields. It turned out that the berries were an excellent source of wine, liqueurs, and juice.

Isabella grows in private vineyards throughout the former Soviet Union, and in Russia it is grown from the south to Siberia, the Northwest, and the Urals.

Description of the variety

The plant is vigorous, with thick, strong shoots. It produces few side shoots, and the vine grows slowly for 5-8 years. Then comes a period of rapid growth, with shoots increasing in length by 2-4 meters each year.

Early shoots are green, with a dull raspberry-brown hue. Later, the color changes to dark gray with a brownish tint. The leaves are entire or slightly dissected, dark green. The underside of the leaf blade is gray.

General purpose variety:

suitable for making wines and liqueurs;
used as a dessert;
used for making juice, compotes.

It ripens late, with a growing season of 5-6 months. It produces its first harvest 3-4 years after planting. These winter-hardy bushes can withstand temperatures down to -32-35°C (-32--35°F) with cover, and survive unprotected winters at -24-28°C (-24--28°F).

Characteristics of fruits

Winegrowers note Isabella's high yields. This grape produces 3-5 clusters of berries on each shoot at a time.

The clusters are conical, with one wing. The bunches are loose, each weighing 180-250 grams. The berries are round, dark blue, sometimes purple. The thick, firm skin has a distinct bloom. The berries are 1.5-2 cm in diameter and weigh 2-3 grams. They contain a few seeds, and the pulp is gelatinous, with a sweet and sour taste.

Interesting!

Isabella's skin is bluish-black, the flesh inside is greenish, with a yellow tint.

It has a distinct aroma of garden strawberries. Its distinctive flavor is unique to Isabella. European winemakers consider this variety unsuitable for producing high-quality wines precisely because of its flavor. However, in the CIS countries, Russia, Australia, and the Americas, Isabella is among the top varieties used in winemaking.

Advantages and disadvantages

Gardeners and winemakers constantly argue about Isabella, proving to their opponents the grape's appeal and benefits, or, conversely, convincing them of its many shortcomings.

Advantages:

ease of cultivation;
high frost resistance;
rapid growth of shoots if the bush was damaged by spring frosts;
possibility of propagation by cuttings;
withstands waterlogged soil;
has excellent immunity;
rarely is affected by diseases;
ripe Isabella berries are of no interest to wasps and birds;
low calorie content (65 calories per 100 grams);
The berries do not cause allergies.

Isabella grows and bears fruit in regions where traditional grape varieties are unattainable. When mixed plantings occur, this beauty withstands pathogens and is unaffected by diseases. It is resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gray mold, significantly simplifying care and avoiding yield losses.

This commercial grape variety is ideal for decorative landscaping. Isabella is planted in arbors, near arches, fences, and hedges. The plant looks impressive in any landscape, so grape vines are used in landscape design.

Isabella is a popular grape variety for ordinary winegrowers, who use its berries to make homemade wines, liqueurs, and juices. The variety is considered one of the best commercial grapes in Moldova and Azerbaijan.

Flaws:

Isabella is prone to anthracnose;
does not tolerate acidic soils, but slaked lime cannot be used to deoxidize the soil;
demanding of moisture, reduces yield even during minor droughts;
the presence of a specific taste.

When planting seedlings in acidic soils, cultivate the soil beforehand by adding dolomite flour and wood ash. Regulate soil moisture levels, preventing the soil from drying out.

The flavor is more complex, as not everyone appreciates the foxy tint in the berries. This is due to acetophenone and the essential oils found in the grape skins. This gives Isabella wines older than three years a distinctive, sharp aroma that detracts from the overall bouquet. Therefore, Isabella wines are recommended to be stored for no more than three years.

Features of agricultural technology

The undemanding Isabella is cultivated in various regions, taking into account some of the variety's characteristics when caring for it.

Selection of seedlings

For planting, purchase one-year-old shoots at least 20-30 cm long. They should have 3-4 roots and be 10-12 cm long. Plants with spots, deformations, or blackened roots are unsuitable. It is recommended to purchase seedlings from nurseries or farms.

Landing

It's best to plan planting for the fall, taking into account the region's climate and the weather conditions of the specific season. The best time is early September, so the seedlings have time to adapt and establish themselves in their new location.

In the central and northern regions, as well as in Siberia and the Urals, spring planting is more common. Winter, with its cold weather, arrives suddenly in these areas, so to avoid damaging the grapes, it's best to postpone the work until spring.

Suitable soil is fertile, slightly acidic, although Isabella adapts well to sandstone and loam. Planting location: open space facing west or south.

Note!

Avoid planting Isabella near fruit trees. Low-lying areas or windy locations are unsuitable.

Planting holes are prepared in advance, 80-90 cm in diameter and up to a meter deep. For spring planting, the holes are dug in the fall, adding drainage (pebbles or crushed stone) to the bottom, followed by a 10-15 cm layer of fertilized soil. The contents are thoroughly watered.

The seedlings' roots are trimmed to 3-4 cm, soaked in growth stimulants, and disinfected in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Before planting, the roots are dipped in a special mixture of clay and mullein, then left to dry in the mixture.

A stake is inserted into the hole, the plant is carefully positioned in the center of the mound, and the roots are spread out. The soil is then sprinkled over the area, making sure not to bury the plant where the shoots begin to branch.

The stems are shortened to 4-5 buds at the top, tied to a stake, and watered thoroughly. To prevent the bright rays of the sun from scorching the plant, the bushes are covered with non-woven material.

The distance between several seedlings is 1.5 meters, and within rows, up to 2-3 meters. Trellis are installed by stretching wire between massive supports.

Further care

Isabella is not a fussy grape, but you still shouldn’t leave the plantings without care.

Top dressing

This variety thrives in fertile soil, so gardeners need to plan their fertilization schedule in advance. Fertilization should be done 3-4 times from spring to fall. Organic matter (compost, humus) should be added as a supplement at least every 2-3 years.

Approximate feeding schedule:

In spring, grape vines are watered with nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate or urea (diluted according to the instructions). Organically, herbal infusions such as comfrey, dandelion, and nettle are suitable. Isabella responds well to watering with an infusion of bird droppings.
The second feeding is during the berry-setting period. Use a mixture containing superphosphate (40 grams per bucket of water), wood ash (one liter of ash per three liters of hot water), and potassium magnesium sulfate (25-30 grams per bucket of water).
After the berries have been picked, in the fall, compounds containing a complex of various substances are added: Kemira-Lux, Floravit.
It is useful to spray the bushes with a solution of magnesium sulfate (1-2 times during the summer).

Watering

The watering schedule is determined by the soil type, the age of the bushes, and weather conditions. Loam soils require infrequent but intense watering. Sandstone and black soils require moderate and frequent watering.

Bushes require the most moisture until they're 2-3 years old; after that, plants are less demanding. However, don't forget about regular watering, as Isabella will drop its berries immediately or produce small, tasteless berries.

Young vines are watered every 7-10 days, using two buckets of water per square meter. This rate is maintained for mature plants, but watering is done less frequently, approximately every 20-25 days.

Note!

Grapes require increased watering during the period of bud swelling and ovary formation.

Watering is reduced and stopped completely in mid-August, when the berries acquire the variety's characteristic bluish color. After harvesting, 14-18 days later, a moisture-replenishing irrigation is performed. A mature bush requires up to 8 buckets of water.

It is recommended to water Isabella using a drip irrigation system or pipes. The bushes are also watered in trenches and furrows between rows. Avoid getting moisture on the vine's leaves.

Formation of bushes

The main procedure is planned for the fall, as spring pruning runs a high risk of excessive sap flow. The liquid floods the bushes' buds, causing them to rot and fail to open.

In the fall, prune away any diseased or weak shoots, trim back new growth by 1/3, and cut back woody shoots by 2/3. Isabella is a vigorous grape variety; without pruning or shaping, the bushes thicken.

In addition to the autumn one, they also hold a spring one. a little pruning and summerDuring these procedures, excess leaves, downward-growing branches, and thickening shoots are removed.

Isabella grapes are thinned, leaving 25-30 clusters on each vine. Bush training begins only in the second year, tying the vines to a curved trellis. It is recommended to use rags to prevent the vines from being frayed by the wire. The goal of the winegrower is to encourage the vines to branch outward, rather than grow only upward.

Wintering

Isabella requires shelter only in regions with harsh climates. In temperate climates, covering the bushes is also recommended, as the winter season is too unpredictable there. The commercial variety is considered a non-sheltered variety, but to be on the safe side, it's still best to protect the bushes from frost.

After harvesting, the vines are removed from the trellises and laid on the ground or in prepared trenches. They are then covered with peat chips, leaves, and conifers. A layer of covering material is then laid.

After snowfall, create a snowdrift, adding snow regularly throughout the winter. In the spring, when the weather becomes consistently warm, the cover is removed. To prevent the risk of freezing, spray the bushes with Epin.

Pest and disease control

Isabella is suitable for novice winegrowers. The variety requires little treatment, as it rarely gets sick and is not susceptible to pests. Anthracnose is a concern, as it spreads quickly if left untreated.

Prevention:

Spraying with Bordeaux mixture (1-2 times in spring);
Treatment with Skor, Topaz and similar preparations (several times during the season).

The compositions are alternated to prevent addiction.

To combat pests, spray the bushes with Nitrofen in the spring. Treating vineyards with a solution of soda ash is also helpful. To protect against birds in the fall, use nets and thin non-woven materials that allow light and air to pass through.

The Isabella grape variety deserves the attention of gardeners. This easy-to-grow, high-yielding grape yields delicious berries while requiring minimal care and effort.

Reviews

Ekaterina, Penza

I've been growing Isabella exclusively for about ten years now. We're happy because we get a harvest every year, regardless of the weather. Sometimes it's smaller, but most often it produces abundantly. I wouldn't trade this tried-and-true variety for any of the newfangled hybrids.

Ivan, Elektrostal

I have eight varieties in my garden, and Isabella is one of my favorites. It produces berries that I use to make wine and compotes. My grandchildren love Isabella for its flavor; they say it's like a wine berry. I value this variety for its ease of care. It's the only variety I don't cover for the winter. It grows right next to the gazebo, and it even withstands cold winters.