Varyushkin
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Russia |
| Variety number VIVC: | 12913 |
| Prime name: | Varyoshkin |
| Principal Synonyms: | Variuskin, Varyshikin, Varuchkin, Varyushkin, Varuchkine, Varuschkin |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Mid-season |
| Classification and Use: | Wine, Dry Table Wines, Dessert and Sweet Wines |
| Resistance group: | Moderately resistant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Сорта винограда (М. А. Лазаревский изд. 1959) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | medium |
| Flower type: | hermaphrodite |
| Downy mildew susceptibility: | 3 points (low resistance) |
| Winter hardiness: | Medium frost resistante (-21...-23°C) |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical, cylindro-conical, winged |
| Bunch density: | medium |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | black |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | melting |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thick |
| Sugar content: | 23-25% |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main characteristics of Varyushkin grapes
The Varyushkin variety is an old Don grape variety of folk selection, classified by its technological purpose as a typical wine cultivar. In terms of ripening dates, the plant is included in the group of mid-season ripening varieties. The productivity of vineyards directly depends on the level of soil moisture: in sufficiently moist areas, the yield of the Varyushkin grape variety varies from above medium to high. A biological feature of the culture is its low demand for the sum of active temperatures, which ensures stable ripening of berries even in climatically unfavorable years.
Morphological characteristics of vegetative and generative organs of the variety:
- Formed leaf: Medium-sized, round in outline, flat or slightly funnel-shaped. The leaf blade is deeply sectioned, five-lobed. The upper side of the leaf blade is matte, with a weak net-like wrinkled (reticulate-rugose) structure. The lower side is covered with a sparse cobwebby pubescence, which tends to gather into small white flakes by the autumn period. The leaves of the lower tier are pubescent with greater density, while their main and lateral veins are covered with bristles.
- Leaf incisions and sinuses: Upper incisions are deep, predominantly closed, characterized by large elliptical or ovate openings; in rare cases, open lyre-shaped incisions are found. At the bottom of the upper incisions, spurs (additional teeth) are very frequently formed, usually in both incisions simultaneously. Lower incisions have a medium depth and an open lyre-shaped form, spurs at their bottom are registered less frequently. The petiolar sinus is, as a rule, closed, with a narrow slot-like or elliptical opening, often equipped with a spur at the bottom.
- Teeth: At the ends of the leaf lobes, the teeth are small, triangular, with sharp apexes. Marginal teeth are small, sharp, with distinct convex sides.
- Bunch: Predominantly of medium size; under favorable conditions, rather large bunches with a length of 13 to 20 cm are formed. The shape is conical or cylindro-conical, the structure is characterized by prominent upper lobes extending to the sides, and winging is often noted. The density of the bunches varies from dense to medium, but in conditions of atmospheric and soil drought, they frequently become loose.
- Berry: Medium-sized or slightly smaller, the shape is round or slightly oval. The coloration is dark red, turning to black. The surface of the berries is covered with a distinct light blue waxy bloom (pruin). The skin has a rather thick structure.
Agricultural practices of the Varyushkin variety
The Varyushkin grape variety is characterized by medium vine vigor and very good wood maturity of the annual shoots by the end of the growing season. The Varyushkin grape variety stands out for its relatively high winter hardiness under the conditions of the Don region. At the same time, the vines demonstrate high sensitivity to drought conditions: with a deficit of soil moisture, the growth vigor of the shoots drops sharply to weak, and the fruitfulness indicators decrease significantly. Due to its resistance to cool summers, the variety successfully competes with other red technical varieties of the region (such as Krasnostop Zolotovsky, Cabernet Sauvignon, Saperavi), which retain excessive acidity in unfavorable seasons.
Winemaking and features of the finished product
The technological potential of the berries is characterized by a high capacity for sugar accumulation, the indicators of which reach 23–25% upon reaching full maturity. The ripening process is accompanied by a uniform and gradual decrease in the titratable acidity of the juice. The berry pulp is juicy and melting, the taste is ordinary, soft, and harmonious. Provided that the harvest is carried out in the phase of full technological maturity, the Varyushkin grape variety allows obtaining high-quality red wine materials for the production of dry, semi-dessert, and dessert wines. The finished product is distinguished by an intense color, full body, soft texture, and a balanced flavor profile. The variety is recommended for production testing and propagation.