12 best wine grapes for the middle lane

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Many grow grapes for the purpose of making wine at home. But not all varieties are suitable for processing, and not all grow well in the middle lane. If home wine is a priority, then you should choose suitable technical (wine) varieties. They usually look less attractive than canteens, but they are much easier to grow.

Wine grapes are distinguished by a high juice content (75-88%) and increased sugar content. These are important indicators for winemaking. And although it is generally believed that grapes are a thermophilic culture, even in the conditions of the middle lane, it may well be grown. This review will present 12 of the best wine grapes suitable for growing in these conditions.

Rating of the best wine grape varieties for the middle lane

Nomination	a place	Grape sort	rating
The best white wine grapes	1	Chardonnay	5.0
	2	Bianca	4.9
	3	White Muscat	4.8
	4	Sauvignon Blanc	4.7
	5	Crystal	4.6
	6	Louise Swenson	4.5
Best dark wine grapes	1	Cabernet Sauvignon	5.0
	2	Pinot Noir	4.9
	3	Rondo	4.8
	4	Grenache Noir	4.7
	5	Express early	4.6
	6	Olenevsky Black	4.5

The best white wine grapes

Red and pink varieties can be used to make white wine, but the priority is given to the light wine varieties of this culture.

Chardonnay

Rating: 5.0

One of the most famous white wine grapes is Chardonnay. Burgundy (France) is considered to be his homeland. A wide variety of wines (dry, dessert, sparkling, table) are made from it. The Chardonnay bush grows strongly and spreads out in half. The kidneys appear very early. The plant does not require intensive pruning. Flowers on Chardonnay bushes are of both sexes.

The size of the clusters is small: the length is 12-13 cm, and the width is 9-10 cm. They resemble a cone in shape. Their structure can be varied (from dense to very loose). The grapes are round or oval, colored greenish-white with a golden tan on the sunny side. The pulp is juicy, pleasant to the taste, has a characteristic aroma for this wine variety. the juice content exceeds 74% of the crop mass.

According to winegrowers, the ripening of the crop occurs in the middle late periods. Most often, raw materials are harvested in the second half of September. Bushes without shelter can withstand frosts down to -20 ° C. Experienced growers also note that when ripe bunches are on the vine for a long time, the berries begin to crack and rot (especially during rains). But Chardonnay endures drought. His resistance to diseases is average.

Advantages

• good pollination due to the two-cavity flowers;
• frost resistance up to -20 ° С;
• tolerates drought;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• intense varietal aroma;
• high percentage of juice yield.

disadvantages

• being on the vine for a long time, the berries crack and rot.

Bianca

Rating: 4.9

Wine material from the Hungarian wine grape variety Bianca has a rich taste with pronounced vanilla and almond notes. To obtain table and semi-sweet wines, it is combined with wine materials of other varieties with reduced sugar content. Thanks to this, they get rid of the cloying characteristic of the Bianca variety.

The bushes of this grape variety grow in moderation. The stems grow straight, forming an openwork crown. Flowers are of both sexes. The fruits are not prone to peas. Thin stems ripen well almost to their entire length. The bunches grow small, resembling a cylinder in shape. Their average weight is 100-120 g. The yield of juice from the total weight of the crop reaches 80%. This wine variety matures in about 120 days.

Advantages

• bisexual flowers, no tendency to pea;
• the presentation of the crop lasts a long time on the vine;
• tolerates frosts down to -27 ° С;
• has a high resistance to various diseases;
• juice yield – 80% of the crop mass.

disadvantages

• the variety is characterized by sugaryness.

White Muscat

Rating: 4.8

One of the oldest grape varieties is White Muscat. It is characterized by the accumulation of large amounts of sugar. Bushes grow medium. The flowers of this wine variety are bisexual. But in some unfavorable years, it can be peas. There is also a predisposition for White Muscat to shedding buds and ovaries.

The shape of the brush of this grape is close to a cylinder, and sometimes some winging is observed in them. In structure, they are knocked down, which can provoke deformation of grapes located too close to each other. The mass of bunches can vary from 100 to 450 g. The pulp is tender, very juicy, has a pleasant taste and a wonderful bright aroma of nutmeg.

Winegrowers in the reviews note that growing this variety in the middle lane is quite problematic, but possible. Harvesting usually falls in the second half of September – the first half of October. If it is planned to make dry wine, then harvesting begins a little earlier. White Muscat has low frost resistance. And if it's rainy autumn, then the grapes are affected by gray rot.

Advantages

• marketable and taste qualities are on top;
• high conditions of sugar accumulation while maintaining a sufficient acidity level;
• the taste is full of nutmeg.

disadvantages

• poorly tolerates low temperatures and diseases.

Sauvignon Blanc

Rating: 4.7

Thanks to the crossing of the Chenin Blanc and Taminer varieties, the Sauvignon Blanc wine grape was obtained. It is popular all over the world because it has excellent taste characteristics due to the optimal ratio of sugar and acid. For Sauvignon Blanc to please, it is important not to be late with the harvest. Overripe berries lose their valuable properties and taste characteristics, so they are no longer suitable for winemaking.

Bushes grow with medium vigor. Sauvignon Blanc has flowers of both sexes. They are well pollinated from year to year. The variety is characterized by small or medium bunches. They are cylindrical in shape, sometimes with a wing. The grapes are very densely planted. The average weight of the brush is 70-125 g, the juice content usually exceeds 77%.

According to winemakers, the variety is excellent from a technological point of view. It has a very intense aroma and perfectly complements other varieties, enhancing the characteristics of wines. For their part, the growers emphasize that ripe berries should not be overexposed on the bushes, since they will quickly lose acidity and accumulate excess sugar. Sauvignon Blanc tolerates temperatures as low as -21 ° C. But he has a weak resistance to diseases.

Advantages

• stable, good pollination;
• amazing aroma and taste characteristics;
• frost resistance up to -21 ° С;
• juice content – 77%.

disadvantages

• overripe berries become tasteless.

Crystal

Rating: 4.6

The Kristall wine grape is a high-quality interspecific hybrid bred in Hungary. Dry table wines, champagnes and sherry wine materials are most often made from it. Crystal bushes grow medium. Flowers of both sexes are perfectly pollinated regardless of the weather. The Crystal is not prone to peas. Grapes ripen early enough – for 110-115 days.

The bunches are quite large (200 grams or more). They are close to a cone in shape. The density of the grapes is moderate. The size of the berries is medium, the shape is oval. They are white or yellow-green depending on the lighting. The pulp is tender, juicy, sweet. There are no specific aromas. But this wine variety is poorly transported over long distances and poorly stored.

Reviews about the wine grape variety Crystal are mostly good. Growers note that it is great for the middle lane. Uncovered vines are not damaged without cover, even if the temperature drops to -29 ° C. And if you use the simplest shelters, they will withstand -40 ° C. Crystal has a very high productivity. It is quite easy to grow as it is unpretentious.

Advantages

• bisexual flowers are well pollinated in any weather;
• early ripening of grapes;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• high frost resistance;
• unpretentious in cultivation;
• high rates of productivity.

disadvantages

• poorly transported and stored.

Louise Swenson

Rating: 4.5

The result of American selection was Louise Swenson's wine grape. It is considered late. Louise Swenson's kidneys appear late, so they are not afraid of spring frosts. Harvesting takes place in the second half of September. The berries ripen for 120-135 days. Louise Swenson produces consistently high yields.

Bushes grow in moderation. The sizes of the brushes are medium. The grapes are planted tightly on them. The berries are round, rather small. Their color is greenish-white, and a whitish coating of wax is also visible. Louise Swenson's taste characteristics are rated as average. A slight sourness is felt. The berries rarely crumble and can remain on the vine for a long time after they are fully ripe.

According to reviews, the hybrid variety Louise Swenson has increased resistance to major diseases and pests. It is happily grown in central Russia and colder regions. Even lowering the temperature to -40 ° C does not cause much damage to them. However, Louise Swenson does not react well to drought, and therefore requires regular watering.

Advantages

• high yield rates;
• berries hold well on the vine;
• increased frost resistance;
• well resists various diseases and pests.

disadvantages

• excessive dryness of the soil harms the plant.

Best dark wine grapes

For the production of red wine, they resort to a special technology that ensures the transfer of anthocyanins from the grape skins to the must.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Rating: 5.0

Thanks to the crossing of the Sauvignon and Cabernet-Franc varieties, the Cabernet Sauvignon wine grape was bred. It belongs to the late varieties of culture. In the middle lane, it is usually harvested in the first half of October. The variety is very easy to care for and grow. Maturation is stable. It is able to perfectly adapt to the most adverse environmental conditions.

Cabernet Sauvignon bunches are shaped like a cone. Their length reaches 15 cm. Sometimes they have lateral branches. The round berries are dark blue. Their skin is very rough, covered with a waxy coating. They contain a small amount of seeds. The grapes are very juicy and have pleasant flavor characteristics.

Winegrowers in their reviews note that the Cabernet Sauvignon wine grape is drought-resistant. During rainy summer and autumn, it practically does not rot. He is not afraid of spring frosts or a strong drop in temperature in winter. Such characteristics are very important for growing in the middle lane. He is also not very susceptible to the most dangerous diseases. However, Cabernet Sauvignon is distinguished by high crumbling of berries, as well as their tendency to pea.

Advantages

• the variety is easy to care for and grow;
• excellent raw wine;
• resistance to adverse conditions;
• good disease resistance.

disadvantages

• high crumbling of berries;
• tendency to pea.

Pinot Noir

Rating: 4.9

The Pinot Noir wine grape is a worthy representative of the Western European group. It was bred in France (Burgundy). Bushes grow medium. Flowers are of both sexes. Early bud breakage can cause kidney damage by late spring frosts. Almost all brushes ripen on the bush. The taste of the wine material becomes brighter as the berries ripen.

Pinot Noir's bunches are elongated. The berries are round. The skin on them is dense, dark blue. The pulp is very tender, juicy, and has a rich balanced taste. Each grape contains up to 75% of the total juice. Under unfavorable environmental conditions, increased peas and a decrease in the total mass of the bunches are observed. This wine grape takes 141-151 days to mature.

According to winegrowers, Pinot Noir is grown well in the middle lane. The vine can withstand temperature drops up to -30˚С. It has medium resistance to major diseases and high to gray mold. Since the bushes do not grow much, it is not difficult and pleasant to take care of them. The harmonious ratio of sugar and acidity in the wine material makes it popular with winemakers.

Advantages

• good regeneration of the vine;
• bisexual flower;
• fairly high yield;
• harmonious taste;
• high frost resistance;
• high resistance to gray mold.

disadvantages

• due to poor watering, the berries become smaller.

Rondo

Rating: 4.8

The Rondo wine grape matures in 125-135 days (early-medium term). Good quality wines are obtained from such raw materials. They are deeply colored, have a high acidity and taste like Merlot. Rondo bushes grow strongly. This wine grape blooms in mid-June. A special yield is observed on chernozems.

Rondo berries are medium in size. They are round, with a firm black skin. The pulp of this variety is juicy, bright, black and purple. Each bunch weighs about 120 g and is shaped like a cone. It is important to harvest on time. Although the berries are resistant to decay, if delayed, they can dry out and fall off.

There are mostly positive reviews about Rondo. Winegrowers note that this variety is quite suitable for growing in the middle lane. It is quite frost-resistant, the plant can withstand temperatures down to -24 °. It has moderate resistance to major diseases (with the exception of chlorosis). The bushes actively bear fruit for two to three years.

Advantages

• early maturation;
• good tolerance to low temperatures;
• average resistance to disease;
• The wine material tastes like Merlot.

disadvantages

• if not picked on time, the berries dry out and fall off.

Grenache Noir

Rating: 4.7

The Grenache (Garnacha) wine grape is one of the most widespread in the world. It has a strong trunk with a hardy vine. Grenache bushes are often grown free-standing. From this wine material, mature rosé or red wines are made, containing a large amount of sugar or alcohol. It is often blended with wine material of other varieties.

The bunches of Grenache Noir are massive, in shape they resemble a cone. Rounded, medium-sized berries have a dense skin, painted in dark blue. They are excellent at storing sugar and have an amazing aroma. In terms of soil, Grenache Noir bushes are picky. They also tolerate drought and other adverse environmental influences well.

According to reviews, Grenache Noir has good yields. Growers recommend removing clusters in the second half of September. The variety can withstand temperatures as low as -18 ° C. However, his indicators of resistance to major diseases are low. In winemaking, Grenache has established itself as a very flexible variety.

Advantages

• well withstands a drop in temperature to -18 ° С;
• drought resistant;
• has a fairly high yield;
• very plastic variety in winemaking.

disadvantages

• resistance to major diseases is low.

Express early

Rating: 4.6

The Express wine grape is considered an early variety. In central Russia, it can grow without shelter for the winter. The grape variety is unpretentious and adapts perfectly to negative environmental conditions. It is very popular with budding winegrowers. Many people like its sweet, specific taste.

The variety Express early berries are rather small, round. Bunches by weight can reach 350 g. They are painted in dark blue with a black tint. When forming a bush, it should be borne in mind that this wine variety is highly fertile. The early express ensures a good harvest, even if the weather conditions are poor. If the buds were damaged by spring frosts, then the vine is perfectly restored, while maintaining fruiting.

Winegrowers in their reviews highly praise Express early wine grapes. This variety can withstand temperatures down to -37 ° C. For the winter, after pruning the vines, it is enough to tie the bushes into bunches and tilt them towards the ground. Covered with a thick layer of snow, it will winters well. Express early children willingly eat fresh. And the wine material from it is very similar in taste to Cabernet Cortis.

Advantages

• super early aging;
• taste characteristics;
• withstands temperatures up to -37 ° С;
• has good disease resistance;
• perfectly recovers after spring frosts.

disadvantages

• not identified.

Olenevsky Black

Rating: 4.5

The wine grape variety Olenevsky Black does not need shelter for the winter and tolerates frost perfectly. It ripens in 125-130 days. The flowers on the bush are bisexual. The Olenevsky Black variety is grown as universal. Its berries are perfectly consumed fresh. It is also well suited for winemaking and preservation. The bushes of this wine grape are very prolific.

The bunches are shaped like a conical cylinder. Their average weight reaches 200 g. The berries are very densely planted. The skin is black and has an intense waxy coating. The seeds in the grapes are small. The taste is quite simple but harmonious. It balances sugar content and acidity well. Yield indicators are above average. This variety can easily live on a personal plot for 10-20 years without any care.

In reviews, growers praise Olenevsky Cherny for good frost resistance. The bushes survive the winter without the obligatory shelter. In this case, the vine is not damaged in any way and the bushes still remain fertile. There is no need to water these wine grapes often or use a lot of dressings. It has an average resistance to major diseases.

Advantages

• a good combination of sugar content and acidity;
• frost resistance;
• does not require complex care;
• harmonious taste;
• suitable for fresh consumption.

disadvantages

• weak resistance to powdery mildew.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.