Plechistik

Main characteristics of Plechistik grapes

The Plechistik variety is an old Don grape variety of folk selection, also locally known as Goryun. Together with the Tsimlyansky Cherny variety, it forms the basis of unique vineyards used for the production of original red sparkling wines. According to morphological characteristics, the Plechistik grape variety has a significant similarity to Tsimlyansky Cherny, however, the key difference is the functionally female flower type. This culture belongs to the group of mid-season ripening varieties. The yield varies from medium to high depending on ecological conditions and the applied agricultural practices.

Morphological description of the grape variety Plechistik

Morphological characteristics of vegetative and generative organs of the variety:

• Formed leaf: Medium-sized, round or slightly egg-shaped (ovate), wavy-funnel-shaped, very deeply sectioned. The leaf blade is five-lobed, the central lobe is often elongated in the form of a "tongue" and divided by deep additional incisions into three sub-lobes, which is especially pronounced in the lower leaves. The upper surface of the leaf is slightly shiny and net-like wrinkled (reticulate-rugose). The lower surface has a dense cobwebby, almost tomentose pubescence with bristles on the veins.
• Leaf incisions and sinuses: Upper incisions are deep, closed, with rounded, ovate or transversely oval openings, occasionally with a tooth at the bottom. Lower incisions are also deep, closed with ovate openings or open lyre-shaped. The petiolar sinus is closed, with an irregularly rounded or transversely oval opening, the bottom of which is often bounded by the lower pair of main veins.
• Teeth: Large, triangular, sharp at the ends of the lobes. Marginal teeth are sharp, mostly with slightly convex sides.
• Bunch: Medium-sized, 15–18 cm long. The shape is conical or cylindro-conical. In typical cases, two distinct upper lobes develop, forming characteristic "shoulders" (hence the name of the variety). The density varies from dense to very loose (shattered).
• Berry: Medium-sized, round and slightly oblate. The coloration is dark blue. The surface is covered with a thick waxy bloom (pruin).

Agricultural practices of the Plechistik variety

The Plechistik grape variety is characterized by strong vine vigor and a good degree of wood maturity. The variety demonstrates high yields with large vine training systems (such as the Don chasha) on rich, moisture-provided soils, as well as under the condition of mandatory cross-pollination, for which the pollinator variety Tsimlyansky Cherny is planted jointly (in an optimal ratio of 1:1). In arid steppe regions and on standard trellis training systems, productivity decreases to medium. The Plechistik grape variety has low winter hardiness. In snowless frosty winters on light sandy loam soils, damage to the root system is noted, which requires covering the above-ground part with organic materials.

Winemaking and features of the finished product

The technological properties of the berries are characterized by high sugar accumulation, reaching up to 25–27%, especially when harvesting is delayed until the overripening stage. The berry pulp is melting and juicy, the taste is ordinary and harmonious, without specific varietal flavors. The main direction of use of the harvested Plechistik grapes is the production of red Tsimlyansky sparkling wines using traditional technology. Production experiments are also being carried out on processing the grapes to obtain dessert wines. The variety is included in the standard assortment of the Rostov region.