Levokumsky Resistant Grape: Characteristics and Description of the Variety, Planting and Care

Among the technical grape varieties intended for the production of wine beverages, Levokumsky Stable is considered one of the most resilient to weather conditions, pests and diseases, and is also easy to care for.

But first and foremost, when describing the variety, the emphasis is on its winter hardiness, which is confirmed by reviews from gardeners.

Description of the variety

The Levokumsky Stable grape variety was developed not by breeders, but by winemakers in the village of Levokumskoye in the Stavropol Territory. The grape is now cultivated in the regions of the central zone Russia – with good cover, the plant can successfully overwinter at temperatures down to -40°C.

The ripening period of Levokumsky grapes depends on climatic conditions and can be mid-early or mid-season, ranging from 110 to 135 days. In the Moscow region, the fruit is ready for harvest in September.

Structural features

The Levokumsky bush is medium-vigorous and covered with small leaves. The leaves have five lobes and are either rounded, if the width is comparable to the length, or heart-shaped, if the length is shorter than the width. The surface is smooth, shiny, and light green. The vines are light brown.

The flowers are bisexual, and pollination occurs easily. Pea-shaped grapes are very rare. The berries fill the clusters densely to moderately. The clusters can be cylindrical or conical in shape, with an average weight of 110-130 g, with a minimum of 80 g and a maximum of 160 g.

Characteristics of berries

The fruits are elongated or round, small in size, and dark blue, almost black when ripe. The skin is thin and waxy. Each fruit contains 3-4 seeds, and the flesh is juicy but firm. This variety is distinguished by its high sugar content—approximately 25%—and acidity—4-5 g/l.

Levokumsky variety is a technical one, grape Suitable for making dessert wines, Levokumskoye grapes are best used for dry wines. Wine made from Levokumskoye grapes has a rich ruby ​​hue and an aromatic bouquet with nightshade notes. The wine's flavor is quite simple, so the grape is often used for blending with varieties whose fruit is overly acidic.

The Levokumsky grapevine can produce 6-7 kg of fruit, but with proper cultivation techniques, this can be increased to 8 kg. 1.4-1.5 kg of berries can be harvested per square meter of vineyard, and with proper care, up to 1.7 kg. Each vine produces approximately 1.8 bunches, each weighing 1.3-1.4 g.

Sustainability indicators

Without additional protection, grapes can tolerate temperatures down to -27 to -29°C, making it suitable for uncovered cultivation in the Samara region and further south. Due to its ability to accumulate large amounts of carotenoids, chlorophyll pigments, and metal cations, the plant is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions.

Levokumsky is slightly susceptible to gray mold and mildew, and is tolerant of, but not susceptible to, powdery mildew and phylloxera. The bush is susceptible to black spot and anthracnose, and its most common pests are spider mites and phytoptus. Ripe berries are attractive to wasps and birds.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Among the advantages of grapes it is worth noting:

• high productivity;
• excellent ripening of one-year shoots – up to 91% with reduced load on the vines and 80-84% with slight overload;
• resistance to climatic phenomena;
• low susceptibility to fungal diseases and grape aphids;
• high-quality pollination of berries;
• ease of care.

Disadvantages of the Levokumsky variety:

• low berry to comb weight ratio;
• difficulty in separating fruits from the bunch;
• simple taste.

Features of agricultural technology of the variety

Cultivation of the Levokumsky grape variety does not require complicated agricultural procedures; rather, maintenance costs will be lower compared to other varieties.

Landing specifics

Levokumsky can grow and bear fruit in light shade, but in deeper shade, the berries accumulate less sugar and weigh less, and the bush's ability to withstand frost is also reduced. Leave 1.5 meters of space between plants and 3 meters between rows.

Grape It's undemanding of soil conditions and grows best in loamy soils. The pH should be neutral or, at most, slightly alkaline. When planting in clay soil, it's important to improve the soil structure to avoid the risk of root rot in the spring.

Another method to prevent negative consequences when growing in clay soil, practiced by gardeners in southern regions, is to plant Levokumsky grapes on a mound. This technique not only solves the problem of spring flooding but also accelerates soil warming, allowing the grapes to grow faster in the spring. This method is not suitable for regions with frosty winters. If low temperatures are accompanied by thin snow cover, it is recommended to deepen the vine when planting. The top rootstock should be placed 8 cm below the soil surface.

Caring for grapes

In the southern part of the central part of the country, Levokumsky vines do not require winter protection, but this does not apply to young plants. Acclimating seedlings to frost should be done gradually: during the first two years of growth, the vines need to be covered; only in the third year can the vines survive the winter without protection or under a layer of snow. It is advisable to initially leave only one branch uncovered—counting the viable buds in the spring will provide accurate information on how well the vines have adapted to the climate.

Levokumsky's care requirements:

1. It is recommended to train the grape vine into two arms, leaving the trunk at least 1 m long. Fan-shaped training is also acceptable.
2. The vines should be shortened to 4-6 buds.
3. In total, 15-20 fruit-bearing shoots should remain on the bush – it has been proven experimentally that this load is optimal for obtaining the best wine material.
4. Grape Levokumsky requires irrigation during flowering and fruit ripening, and it also requires watering during dry periods. A bucket of water should be poured under the bush every week. Avoid overwatering, as the plant may react to excess water by cracking the fruit.
5. During the first two years of the bush's growth, the formed clusters should be removed from the vines to give the plant time to strengthen properly and accumulate wood.
6. Despite the grapes' resistance to diseases, experienced gardeners recommend carrying out two preventative sprayings with fungicides per season.

Winemakers' reviews

Dmitry, 52 years old

"The accumulation of old wood has a noticeable impact on the size of the bunches and the ripening time. Previously, Levokumsky simply didn't have time to ripen; I thought about getting rid of it, but literally in the third or fourth year, the berries began to ripen earlier. I'd also like to note the high-quality ripening of the shoots by winter. Under cover of spruce branches and snow, the grapes withstood frosts down to -37°C without damaging the vines."

Svetlana, 45 years old:

"I grow this variety to add to musts made from other berries. My favorite combination is with Rkatsiteli; it produces a very balanced flavor. However, I don't like the "mono-wine" it produces; the flavor is flat and inexpressive. However, the berries have a very high sugar content, which makes it an excellent complement to sour varieties. Levokumskoye berry juice is superior to wine—the flavor is fresh, harmonious in sweetness and acidity, and has a pleasant aroma."

Vitaly, 44 years old:

"The most dangerous thing about overwintering this variety is a sharp drop in temperature in the spring. Levokumsky can survive the winter under thick snowdrifts, even in Siberia, without any other shelter. This lulls gardeners into a false sense of security, as they don't realize that in northern regions, significant cold snaps can occur after the snow melts, when the plant has no protection. Its ability to withstand temperatures down to -30°C (-22°F) is for the winter, when the bush is dormant. And in the spring, frosts of -10°C (-5°F) and -15°C (-5°F) can damage the awakened buds, even if they haven't yet opened. Therefore, I always mulch the vines with at least some spruce branches."

Due to its high yield and simple growing conditions and care requirements, the Levokumsky grape variety is profitable for both home and industrial wine production. With its high winter hardiness, it is suitable for cultivation in most temperate regions.