Simone
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Lithuania |
| Breeder: | Antanas Gailiūnas |
| Species: | Interspecific hybrid |
| Ripening period: | Very early |
| Classification and Use: | Dual-purpose, Fresh consumption, Dry Table Wines, Juice Production |
| Resistance group: | Complex resistant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Compiled Amateur Research Data |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | very vigorous |
| Lateral shoot formation: | moderate |
| Flower type: | hermaphrodite |
| Downy mildew susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Powdery mildew susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Root phylloxera susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Winter hardiness: | High frost resistante (-24...-26°C) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone: | Zone 5 (down to -28.9°C) |
| Fertility coefficient: | 1,4-1,9 |
| Percentage of fruitful shoots: | 80-85% |
| Pruning length: | short, 2-4 buds |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical |
| Bunch density: | loose, medium |
| Average bunch weight: | 210 g |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | black |
| Average berry weight: | 2,6 g |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | mucilaginous |
| Berry skin thickness: | medium |
| Berry skin texture: | medium |
| Sugar content: | 16-18% |
| Total acidity: | 4-5 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Weakly colored |
| Flavor type: | Labrusca |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main characteristics
The Simone grape variety is an interspecific hybrid of universal use of Baltic selection. It was bred in Lithuania by private breeder Anastas Gailiunas. The bushes demonstrate a high degree of adaptation to local harsh climatic conditions; the variety is recommended for uncovered arbor culture. The harvest is used for fresh consumption, processing into juices, and table wines. The tasting score of fresh grapes is 6.7 points.
The ripening period is ultra-early; the time from the beginning of bud burst to the onset of harvest maturity of the berries is 95–100 days. Under the conditions of the south of the Rostov region, harvesting is carried out in the third decade of July (July 20–25). In open ground conditions of Bashkiria, technical maturity occurs at the end of August with a growing degree-days (GDD) accumulation of more than 2000 degrees.
The Simone grape variety forms small or medium clusters of conical shape with an average weight of 120 to 300 grams. Their structure varies from loose to medium density. A specific varietal feature is the red coloration of the peduncles. The berries are medium, round, deep blue (dark purple, black) in color with a well-visible waxy bloom (pruin). The average weight of a berry is 2.1–3.0 grams. The skin is dense. The pulp features a juicy, somewhat mucilaginous consistency characteristic of labrusca hybrids. The taste is harmonious, with a light strawberry (isabella) aroma. The berry juice is slightly colored, with a sugar content of 16–18% and low titratable acidity within 4–5 g/l.
Morphological description of the Simone grape variety
A full detailed description of the morphology is absent in academic ampelographic works. Based on the available practical data from amateur viticulture, the following varietal features are identified:
- Bush: possesses very high vigor; shoots develop intensively. Lateral shoot formation is moderate.
- Annual shoot: the cane of annual growth matures well along practically its entire length. Compatibility with common rootstocks in grafting is good.
- Leaf: the formed leaf blade is of medium or large size, three-lobed, slightly lobed. The leaf teeth are small, serrated. The petiole sinus is open, having the shape of an ascending angle.
- Flower: the flower type is hermaphroditic; the variety does not require additional pollinators.
Features of agricultural technology
The number of fruitful shoots on the bush is 80–85%, and the average fruitfulness coefficient equals 1.4–1.9 clusters per shoot. Short pruning of fruiting canes by 3–4 buds is recommended. The total optimal bud load per bush is 30–35 buds.
The Simone grape variety possesses high winter hardiness, withstanding winter temperature drops down to -25°C with the preservation of fruitful buds and perennial wood. Long-term observations confirm high genetic resistance of the bushes to major fungal diseases: downy mildew, powdery mildew, and gray mold. Two preventive treatments with fungicides per season are sufficient for reliable protection of the leaf apparatus and harvest.