Forever Young Pink Muscat

Everyone who is over N years old heard the word "muscat" or tasted one of the finest wines bearing this name, or even the fragrant grape itself, which is also called muscat. Even beginner growers know that there are many nutmegs. They are white, red, pink, black. Its varieties differ in maturity. Today we will talk about pink Muscat, which is grown throughout the south of Europe, in Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Kazakhstan.

Both young and early

If we consider that viticulture is about eight thousand years old, according to scientists, then Pink Muscat can be considered young, since it probably appeared in the south of Europe only a few centuries ago as a variant of White Muscat. He is known to winegrowers under the names Rouge de Frontignan, Red, Rosso di Madera and others. Over time, it became popular with winemakers of the Mediterranean European countries, spread in the Black Sea region, in southern Russia, Kazakhstan, and Central Asian countries.

Muscat pink can be considered young, since it probably appeared in the south of Europe only a few centuries ago

The main purpose of this medium-early ripening variety is technical, that is, it is grown for processing into juices and wines, although it is used fresh in private farms, desserts and home preservation are prepared from it. In 1959, the variety was included in the register of the FSBI "State Commission", recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region.

Medium-sized bushes of Muscat pink have not very large slightly dissected leaves with a smooth upper plane and slightly pubescent lower bristles. Young shoots ripen well or satisfactorily.

From bisexual flowers of Muscat pink grapes, moderate clusters are formed, in shape resembling a cylinder converging in the lower part, with wings. The berries in them are not too dense, and their size is small. The shape of the grapes is almost round, slightly elongated. They are covered with a thin, but strong skin, which, when fully ripe, becomes dark red. A light coating of wax is clearly visible on it. The inside of the berries is tender, contains 2-4 medium-sized seeds and clear juice. The berries have a strong nutmeg flavor and aroma.

Pink nutmeg is a grape of medium-early ripening period, gives medium yields, has low resistance to low temperatures, is susceptible to fungal diseases, is damaged by a bunch of leafwort and phylloxera, but it is less than its white counterpart, it is demanding on the composition of the soil and its degree of moisture, as well as weather conditions.

Table: Pink Muscat characteristic in numbers

The vagaries and problems of Muscat pink

The first osbennost variety - a small growth force of bushes. Many winegrowers may find this a serious drawback, as this not-so-productive vine is slowly gaining its full strength. In this case, any pruning of Pink Muscat should be done as accurately and professionally as possible.

Others see the slow growth of this grape as an advantage in that:

• the vines are not prone to building stepsons, weakening the plant;
• the remote foliage, shading the bunches, will not be restored soon.

As a result, it is possible to provide all brushes picking up juice with a sufficient amount of sunlight and heat.

Despite the fact that in Pink Muscat, flowers are bisexual and pollinated well, to increase the number of ovaries and prevent the berries from peeling in small vineyards, one can pollinate the flowers. Do this with a soft, dry sponge, collecting pollen from all plants on a clean plate. Then it is mixed and returned with a brush or the same sponge to flowering brushes. This operation is quite effective and eliminates the need for growth stimulants, as is done on large plantations.

The second feature of pink Muscat is its dislike for clay soils, peat bogs, wetlands and groundwater close to the surface. In such places, it simply may not take root, and if it takes root, it will languish and will not produce a crop.

The third caveat is watering and natural rainfall. Lack of moisture and its excess are harmful to this variety. A good solution to the problem can be drip irrigation, when there is always moisture, but in a small amount. At the same time, it is recommended from time to time to mix organic and mineral fertilizers with water, and during the period of bush growth - the minimum doses of stimulants.

However, the normalization of watering will not save from rotting of berries and the bush itself, from its infection by fungi during long uninterrupted rains, if they are peculiar to the climate of the area where Pink Muscat is planted.

Pink nutmeg is very susceptible to fungal diseases, therefore treatment with fungicides in spring and autumn is a mandatory preventive procedure for growing this variety. The same drugs can be used in the summer when a vine disease is detected. After all, it is known that when grapes are infected with a fungus, it’s not about saving the crop, the bush itself needs to be rescued from trouble.

As for insect pests, the treatment of grapes with any available insecticides helps to successfully combat most of them, and timely prevention can completely eliminate this problem. An exception is phylloxera. In many cases, in order to protect Pink Muscat from it, there is only one way out - inoculating it with a stock of a variety that is resistant to these pests.

Video about the cultivation of industrial grapes by Vladimir Maer

Grape growers reviews

Signals on the grade Muscat pink, the third year of age. Taste!!! to say that the taste is nutmeg means to say nothing. Unusual taste range ... I am pleased with the elephant - I have Pink Muscat! (But, it’s so, thoughts are rumored)

Alexander47

//forum.vinograd.info/showthread.php?t=5262

By the middle of August, Shadow, Friendship, Kishmish Zaporizhzhya, Pink Muscat, Sidlis ripening. They are generally my love, I have 5 of them.

Ivanovna

//forum-flower.ru/showthread.php?t=282&page=8

To determine the aroma when choosing a variety for wine, I suggest using the following information: Muscat - Blanc muscat, Pink muscat, Hamburg muscat, magic, etc.; Pink - pink traminer, blanc traminer, etc. Currant - Sauvignon, Mukuzani, etc. Violet - aligote, pinot noir, merlot, etc. Pine - Riesling and others; Wildflowers - Fetyaska, Rara Nyagre, Gechei Zamotosh, etc.

Yuri vrn

//www.vinograd777.ru/forum/showthread.php?t=231&page=2

Muscat pink is very difficult in culture, demanding on climate, soil, weather. It needs protection from pests and diseases. But he compensates for all the labor invested by grapes of excellent taste, excellent juice or good wine. Whether to grow it, each grower decides for himself.