Sibirkovy

Main characteristics of Sibirkovy grapes

The Sibirkovy variety belongs to the most valuable old Don grape varieties of folk selection. For a long time, this culture did not attract wide attention and was practically absent in pure-sorted plantations until experts established its high winemaking qualities. In terms of ripening dates, the Sibirkovy grape variety belongs to the group of early-mid ripening period. The yield of the variety can fluctuate significantly over the years, which is associated with a biological tendency to flower shattering, as well as with the negative impact of unfavorable winter conditions on the preservation of the vine buds.

Morphological characteristics of vegetative and generative organs of the variety:

• Formed leaf: Leaves are large, dark green, deeply sectioned, five-lobed. The leaf blade is strongly wavy, with a tendency of the lobes to sag, which visually resembles slight wilting. The central lobe is characterized as wide and obtuse (in contrast, in lower leaves it is often narrow and elongated in the form of a tongue). The upper side of the leaf blade is smooth with a characteristic metallic tint. The lower side is covered with a cobwebby pubescence of medium density, while the main veins of the leaf are covered with distinct bristles. The petiole and main veins are colored in wine-red.
• Leaf incisions and sinuses: Upper incisions are deep, closed, with openings of elliptical, ovate or irregular shape, sometimes small slot-like or lyre-shaped, occasionally containing a tooth (spur) at the bottom. Lower incisions have medium or significant depth, open, lyre-shaped. The petiolar sinus is predominantly closed with deeply overlapping lower lobes and an elliptical opening, in rare cases — open lyre-shaped.
• Teeth: Large, triangular, very sharp at the ends of the lobes. Marginal teeth are sharp, mostly with convex sides.
• Bunch: Predominantly of medium size, the length is within 13–20 cm. The shape is weakly conical or close to cylindrical, often developing a large wing, giving the bunch a split appearance. The structure of the bunch is loose.
• Berry: Medium-sized or slightly smaller. The shape of the berries is oval, the coloration is greenish-white, acquiring a yellowish tint when grown in open sun. The surface is covered with a thick layer of waxy bloom. The skin is thin, translucent and fragile.

Agricultural practices of the Sibirkovy variety

The Sibirkovy grape variety stands out for its very strong vine vigor. The ripening process of the vine is characterized by a prolonged, late nature, which is especially pronounced when cultivated on rich and moist soils. The Sibirkovy grape variety has a relatively low winter hardiness. After passing through severe and snowless winters in the Don region, the death of a significant percentage of main buds is recorded, which directly reduces the subsequent productivity of plantations. The plants are sensitive to mildew infection. The distribution of the culture in production is constrained by a shortage of high-quality planting material, but the variety is recognized as promising for testing in the conditions of covered viticulture of the middle zone.

Winemaking and features of the finished product

The technological potential of Sibirkovy grapes is closely related to the specifics of ripening: the variety is capable of rapidly accumulating sugars with a simultaneous intensive decrease in the titratable acidity of the juice. The berry pulp is juicy, the taste is ordinary and harmonious. Provided that the harvest is carried out in a timely manner, high-quality white table wines are obtained from these grapes, distinguished by a beautiful color and a balanced flavor profile. In case of overripening of the berries, valuable winemaking qualities are completely lost, the taste of the finished product becomes flat and acquires an unpleasant bitterness. The variety is officially included in the standard assortments of the Rostov and Volgograd regions.