The variety's creator, V.V. Zagorulko, is a breeder from Ukraine. Two varieties were hybridized: Kodryanka and ZOS. Viking can be found not only in the southern regions; it is popular among winegrowers in the Moscow region. The hybrid form has a memorable berry aroma.
Description and characteristics
An early-ripening variety. Harvesting begins in the first half of August. The first bunches ripen 100 days after the start of the growing season. There are no problems with propagation, and the seedlings take root well.
After the adaptation period, the vine grows vigorously. Pollination is unproblematic, and Viking's flowers are bisexual. In the moderate climate of the Moscow region, the bushes are covered during the winter; their frost resistance is average, with a temperature threshold of 21°C.
In the south, vines and fruit buds don't freeze without protection. The yield is affected by weather. Harvest quality suffers from sudden fluctuations in summer temperatures. Extreme heat affects the quality of the bunches, causing the berries to become smaller.
The cluster is conical, dense in structure, and weighs from 600 to 1000 g. The berries are marketable, elongated-oval, and dark blue with a purple tint. Average dimensions: 34 mm long, 22 mm wide, weighing 13 g, few bones, and edible skin.
The pulp has a pleasant flavor with a light aftertaste of prunes and subtle notes of muscat. The pulp has a firm texture. The sugar content is approximately 16%. The bushes are average-yielding. There are approximately 24 fruiting shoots per bush.
The bushes are vigorous, covered with five-lobed leaves, and the shoots mature early, with a high percentage of fruiting. Winegrowers use various types of formative pruning:
- cordon;
- fan;
- gazebo.
The grape is intended for table use. The flavor and nutritional value of the pulp suggest that the berries are eaten fresh. Viking is popular among retail buyers. Farmers grow the hybrid for commercial use.
The clusters can hang on the vines all September. This is convenient for trade. The berries retain their appearance and flavor for a long time, and they withstand long transportation well. Viking berries can be used as raw material in home winemaking.
Growing regions
The southern regions have a suitable climate for growing Viking, but winegrowers in the Moscow region, Primorsky Krai, and the Urals cultivate this hybrid in their dachas. Enthusiasts from central Russia are not far behind.
Pros and cons
Early ripening, unique aroma, and aftertaste are undoubted advantages of Viking. The fact that the harvest can remain on the vine for a long time without losing its nutritional value is also appreciated. Other advantages include the good transportability of Viking's bunches and the rapid ripening of the shoots.
The disadvantages include:
- the need for shelter due to the average frost resistance of grapes;
- crackling during prolonged rains;
- low immunity to fungal infection.
Landing
The ground level is raised by creating embankments up to 1.5 meters high if the groundwater table is close. The soil pH is monitored and adjusted if necessary. High-moor peat is added to alkaline soil to increase its acidity, while slaked lime, dolomite flour, and ash are added to acidic soil.
The planting hole is dug in the fall, and the soil mixture for backfill is prepared at the same time. Seedlings are preferably planted in early spring. A mixture of clay, water, and humus is prepared. The grape roots are immersed in this mixture before planting. The shoots are pruned back to 2-3 buds. The backfilled soil is compacted and watered.
Care Features
In arid regions, such as the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions, irrigation is a key consideration. In areas with normal rainfall, fruiting Viking bushes are watered according to a standard schedule:
- in spring, when the shoots grow by 25-30 centimeters;
- before flowering;
- when the clusters begin to form;
- after harvest;
- before the onset of frost.
Additional watering is carried out in cases where it is necessary to fertilize with mineral fertilizers or the berries have lost their elasticity.
Three fertilizing sessions per season are sufficient for the Viking grapevine. These are done once a month. During the first half of summer, the grapevine requires nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and during the second half, fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium are needed. Every three years, the soil fertility in the root zone is restored. Dig a shallow trench along the trellis and fill it with compost. Avoid overdoing it with nitrogen fertilizers; the Viking grapevine doesn't particularly like them.
In the first few years after planting, shoots are pruned medium-long, leaving 5 buds on fruiting shoots. Later, they switch to long pruning, leaving 18 to 20 buds on fruiting shoots.
Attitude to diseases
Viking is susceptible to rot and other fungal diseases. Preventative measures are necessary. These begin early in the spring. The first treatment is carried out as soon as the above-ground part reaches 20 cm, the second one is carried out before flowering, and the final one after.
The following preparations are popular among winegrowers:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- Strobe;
- Anthracol.
Other preventative maintenance: removing side shoots and extra shoots, weeding between rows, and controlling moisture using mulch.
Pests
Birds and wasps are the ones to watch out for. Their attacks can seriously damage crops. Standard control measures include bird netting and wasp bags.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mNkQI-_fsc
Preparing for winter
Vines are covered before the onset of frost, most often in late October or early November. Timing depends on the weather and climate zone. Arches and PVC film are ideal choices.
The arches are installed after the pruned vines have been removed from the trellis and laid on soil cleared of weeds and plant debris. Film is stretched over them, leaving the ends exposed. They are closed after the onset of sustained frosts of at least -8°C.
While the weather is relatively warm, air should circulate freely in the tunnel. The shoots should not touch the plastic film. Contact with the covering material in freezing temperatures will result in frostbite.
Reviews
Matvey, Bryansk region
The berries have an attractive shape, good flavor, and no cracking. It has been bearing fruit since 2013 and is disease-free. The vines are vigorous. Yields have been consistently high since 2017, and the vines can withstand heavy loads. Viking is recommended for winegrowers in northern regions.
Maxim, Volgograd region
Due to their vigorous growth, the bushes require a trellis up to 5 meters high. My Viking grows on a single-plane 3-meter trellis, which is not enough. Care and pruning quality greatly affect yield. I prune long (from 15 to 18 buds). It cracks during prolonged rains. The flavor is pleasant, but simple, and noticeably worsens in damp weather. I do not recommend this variety for damp climates.
Nikolay, Pyatigorsk
Viking didn't do well for me, so I cut it down. The bushes were gigantic, and my single-level surface was tight, and the yield wasn't impressive. It needed an L-shaped trellis. The berries tasted ordinary, like peas, and they crackled in the rain.
General cleaning of the vineyard: a list of mandatory activities
When to harvest grapes for wine
Can you eat grapes with seeds? Health benefits and risks
Grape seed oil - properties and uses, benefits and contraindications