Moldova grapes: characteristics and description of the variety

Moldova is one of the most famous grape varieties. Even those who have never grown grapes have likely tasted Moldova and remembered its sweet, juicy berries. This variety is often seen on store shelves, as it is grown on an industrial scale. This variety is easy to care for and grow. You can achieve maximum yield by studying its characteristics, description, reviews, and advice from experienced winegrowers.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The name suggests the grape variety's historical homeland, as it was bred in Moldova. Moldova is a product of selections from the 1960s and 1970s. The grapes were created by crossing the foreign varieties Seyve Villar and Guzal Kara. The berries are almost black with a purple tint. The skin has a waxy coating, which protects the berries from damage and cracking. Inside the fruit is white-red pulp with 2-3 seeds. The pulp is sweet but slightly tart. The sugar content is 17-18%, and the acidity is 7-10 g/l. All the berries are collected in a single bunch, weighing from 500 g to 1 kg. The berries themselves are not large, but medium-sized, weighing no more than 6-7 g each. The grapes are 2-3 cm long.

Moldova is grown for various purposes, as it is a versatile variety. It is suitable for both commercial and edible use. The berries are used for cooking compotes and jams. Their sweetness makes them a perfect pairing with citrus and fruit, creating a harmonious flavor. Wine or spirits are infused with the grapes. Moldova is recognized as a high-yielding variety. Fruiting begins in the second year of planting, then increases annually. The peak harvest occurs when the plant reaches 8-10 years of age. A single bush can yield up to 150 kg of berries. On an industrial scale, the yield is 150-200 centners of berries per hectare. Ripening takes 150-160 days from bud swelling, and harvesting begins no earlier than mid-September.

Moldova grows up to 6 meters in height. Like all grape varieties, it requires staking to a trellis or other support. It produces vigorous shoots, so the bush needs to be trained and excess buds trimmed. Pruning directly impacts yield: over- or under-training the bush leads to poor fruiting and reduced berry quality. The variety is virtually disease-free. Diseases such as powdery mildew, phylloxera, and mildew are unaffected, as it is immune to them. Moldova is slightly less susceptible to chlorosis and phomopsis, though cases of infection have occurred.

Moldova was originally zoned for its southern regions. It is ideally suited to its mild climate, grow In Sochi, Anapa, Crimea, Rostov-on-Don, the Rostov Region, and the Krasnodar Krai. Although this variety has good frost resistance down to -20°C, it is not suitable for planting in the north of the country.

The strong qualities of grapes include:

• ease of breeding and care;
• stable high yield;
• good shelf life and transportability;
• taste qualities and commercial appearance;
• immunity to many diseases.

Grapes also have their downsides. Due to their late ripening, the berries often don't have enough time to fully ripen before frost sets in. Therefore, when landing in the Moscow region The taste of Moldova can be a little sour.

Planting and care

Moldova grapes are most often planted in the spring; autumn planting is not ideal. If you've never grown grapes in your garden before, you can plant them from seedlings. When purchasing grapes, pay attention to the roots: they should be healthy, smooth, and white. It's best to buy seedlings in early to mid-March, as the buds on the branches have not yet opened. Up to 10 seedlings are sufficient for the first planting; if you want to propagate them, the shoots are easy to root, and the bush can be propagated by cuttings.

Moldova loves sun and warmth, so the grape plot is located in a wind-protected but not shaded area. Insufficient light will result in even longer ripening times. If possible, prepare the soil for grapes in the fall or early spring after the snow melts. Humus is added to the soil, with approximately 10 kg of compost per square meter. Grapes respond well to organic matter, so a cup of stove ash per square meter is added to boost fertility.

Grape seedlings are planted at a distance from each other, leaving 2-3 spaces between plants. As they mature, they will begin to bush out and not interfere with each other. Immediately after planting, the seedlings are watered, and the soil is mulched with sawdust or straw. The grape vines are tied at a slight angle to the ground. As the branches grow, the ties should be raised to encourage the vines to stretch. Side shoots can be left on the seedlings; starting in the second year, weak shoots 15-20 centimeters long are shortened by simply breaking them off at the root. These shoots can be used to grow cuttings, which are suitable for planting the following year.

In mid-April, preventative measures against fungus and other diseases are carried out. grape diseasesThe most commonly used products are Azofos, colloidal sulfur, Bordeaux mixture, and Quadris. These products are used according to the instructions on the packaging. The first treatment is usually followed by a second one 5-7 days later.

Shelter for the winter

Moldova finishes fruiting late, not before mid-October. Once the last bunches have been picked, the remaining green foliage is trimmed. Diagram branch cuttings The vineyard should include the portion that hasn't ripened. There should be approximately three fruiting shoots left on each side. Before winter, water the grapes (2-3 buckets of warm water per vine) and wait for the soil to dry. Around November, remove the vines from the trellis and carefully arrange them into a bunch. Cover the bunch with soil and peat and cover with burlap. You can place cellophane on top of the burlap to protect the plant from water. This type of cover is sufficient for Moldova to survive even a long winter and a cold spring. Grapes are not uncovered until April.

Reviews

Maxim from Crimea writes:

"Moldova is ideal for its sea air and mild climate. In three years, the grapes have already reached several meters in height and are bearing fruit abundantly. I don't cover them for the winter; they survive light frosts around 0°C and slightly below. I water the plants once every 3-4 weeks; they don't require frequent watering. We enjoyed the berries all autumn and even made jam."

Vera from the Moscow region says:

"This variety is perfect for the Moscow region. At first, I was afraid the grapes would freeze, but nothing happened to them over the winter. I covered them with leaves and plastic, pruned the shoots in the spring, and they bloomed in the summer. I'm very happy with the variety, and the berries they produce are incredible! Sweet, juicy, and dark, just like in the south. Overall, I definitely recommend Moldova for planting."