Grapes in Belarusian: 552 varieties, harsh winter and hope for your wine

In Samokhvalovichy, grapes imported from 27 countries are grown and varieties for the Belarusian climate are bred

The Institute of Fruit Growing has been engaged in viticulture for more than half a century. It all began with the Pinsk stronghold, then the main base moved to Samokhvalovichi. During this time, one of the largest collections in the area of non-traditional grape growth was collected. Today it has 552 varieties from 27 countries.

- The most distant ones are from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan and China, says Vladimir Ustinov, a senior researcher at the Department of Fruit Crop Breeding, the curator of the grape collection. - They all took root. But, of course, the warmer ones need special care. In the open ground grows more than 400 varieties and about 150 table varieties in greenhouses. Among them are about 50 seedless grape varieties.

Industrial vineyards in the country are few – they occupy just over 60 hectares. The Institute of Fruit Breeding notes that there are no accurate statistics on the country, taking into account personal farms, while grapes are widely distributed among summer residents and lovers of sweet berries.

Over the past two years, the Institute has transferred two varieties of technical purpose to the state grade testing system: loret and Minsk muscat. They have a high tasting rating and are suitable for making red and white wine. Care is simple, are not afraid of a significant drop in air temperature. In particular, in the open ground perfectly survived the frosty winter. "Loret" is already included in the state register from this year. Vladimir Ustinov adds: in the collection of the Institute there are proven dessert varieties, which gave full harvests for three to five seasons. Among them are “citrine”, “antracite”, “furchet”, “beauty”, “taldun”, “kishmish Jupiter”, “kishmish kevin”, “cimus”, “faberge”, “heliodor”. The emphasis is primarily on the taste of berries. From simple harmonious to muscat. There are muscat floral, muscat-honey, muscat-raspberry, delicious, strawberry-pineapple. Here's a kevin aftertaste of kiwi. But this one is with a strawberry-pineapple shade, explains Vladimir Nikolaevich, stopping near a bush with large berries. He pulls a bunch, suggests trying. This year, there is a harvest, despite the last harsh winter. Although some plants have been affected. It is best to feel highly winter-resistant varieties, technical and versatile. They produce a full harvest.

We're going to the greenhouse. There we linger at plants with bags on clusters. It's breeding work.

- Where the bag hangs, it's the mother's uniform, Mom. We pollinated it with a certain variety to get the best quality result. From the ripened seed we grow a plant. In five years, it may be fruitful, and we will draw conclusions, Vladimir Nikolayevich said.

The Institute has created a uterine base using biotechnological methods. It is tested and free from major viruses. Diseases and pests can cause irreparable harm, so the main thing for vine growers is prevention. It is carried out on average 2-3 times per season. Table and technical varieties: what is the difference?

Vladimir Ustinov explains simply. Technical grapes should give a good juice, juicy berry. For him, the sugar acid index is important - the balance of sugar and acid. Table varieties are eaten fresh, they have a fleshy, crispy, dense berry.

- Technical varieties are often sweeter, but they have high acidity, the scientist emphasizes.

By the way, in addition to grapes, exoticism grows in the greenhouses of the institute, in particular, there are 50 varieties of figs. Some are grown in soil, some in tubs. For the winter, the tubs are removed in the basement with a temperature of up to 10 degrees, otherwise the plant will wake up prematurely.

- Figs reproduce well, the roots are strong. It can be formed like grapes, on a trellis. In China, it is grown, says Vladimir Ustinov. We need to choose self-fertile varieties that do not need a blastophagus for pollination.

There are also persimmon, azimina, Japanese mushmula, feijoa, dwarf-shaped pomegranate, banana tree and kiwi in the collection of the institute.

THEME

A visit to the vineyards of the RUE “Fruit Institute” became one of the most colorful events of the exhibition-fair “Vine Day – 2026” held in Samokhvalovichi. Guests of the holiday could walk through open plantations and look into the greenhouses, where clusters of plants exotic for Belarus ripen. The program also included a seminar on viticulture, tasting, competitions for the largest cluster and debut of the year. Scientists told about the created collection, including 552 varieties, and the latest breeding novelties. Farmers from different regions of the country also rushed to share their achievements.

i.zhuk@sb.by