Lydia grape variety
Lydia is one of the oldest table-technical varieties, bred in North America in the 19th century. Obtained by selection of seedlings of the American grape variety Vitis labrusca. Belongs to a large group of so-called "isabel" varieties, a distinctive feature of which is the presence of "Labrus" ancestors in the genes. Such an inheritance, as a rule, leaves a characteristic imprint in the form of a specific strawberry taste and aroma of fruits, slimy pulp of berries and a fairly high resistance to diseases affecting the cultivated European grape Vitis vinifera. Lydia is no exception in this regard.
After the introduction to Europe began, along with new varieties, diseases previously unknown to the winegrowers of the Old World came to the continent. As a result of the onset of epiphytoties, the classical European forms, which turned out to be extremely susceptible to hitherto unknown pathogens, suffered colossal damage. Winegrowers began to look for a way out of the current difficult situation in the industry, in connection with which they were forced to pay attention to the far from refined Labruscot forms, primarily because of their resistance to pathogens. This was the beginning of the "golden age" of isable grape varieties on the European continent, including Lydia. The variety was widespread in plantations until the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, after which the area under it began to gradually decrease in favor of higher quality and more productive technical and table varieties. Currently, Lydia is widespread only in household plots, there are very few industrial plantings left.
Bushes of this variety are above average vigor. Leaves grow large and medium in size, rounded in shape, slightly dissected, three- or five-lobed. The leaf blade is green above, greenish-white below, covered with dense tomentose pubescence. The upper notches are small, usually open, lyre-shaped, almost parallel to each other with a rounded or sharp bottom. The lower notches are small, slightly outlined. The petiolate notch is deep, lancet, and open. Lydia's flowers are bisexual.
The bunches of the variety are medium-sized, conical or cylindrical-conical, loose, with an average weight of 100-110 grams. The stem of the comb is long. The grapes are medium-sized, round, with a diameter of about 15 mm and weighing 3-4 grams. The skin is firm, of medium thickness. The skin color is dark red, it is covered with a thick lilac wax bloom. The berry is firmly attached to the ridge, but when overripe, the connection weakens, which can cause shedding of the crop. The pulp is slimy. There are 2-3 seeds in the berry, they are rather difficult to separate from the pulp. The taste is harmonious, with an optimal ratio of acid and sugar. A specific strawberry aroma is pronounced.
The grape harvest is intended for fresh consumption, processing into compotes and preserves. The wines obtained from Lydia are considered to be of low quality due to their relatively high methanol content. In this regard, the United States and the European Union even introduced a ban on the production of wine from isabelle varieties. However, in our private households, and in wineries that do not produce wine for export to the EU and the USA, this practice still persists. The characteristic labrus aroma, which passes from juice into wine and is considered a sign of bad taste among gourmets, in home winemaking, on the contrary, even delights some lovers of the variety. According to connoisseurs of Lydia and wine from her, the version of increased methanol is nothing more than a myth created specifically to oust an inexpensive product from the market in the interests of wine producers with higher added value. According to them, they just want to destroy a competitive grape variety that does not need multiple spraying with pesticides.They point out that a high pesticide load can have a much stronger effect on the health of consumers than methanol, which is contained within the maximum permissible concentration in absolutely any wine.
Lydia has an average ripening period. The variety is cultivated mainly in the south, where it always has time to ripen. The growing season from bud break to the onset of technical ripeness (mid-September) is 155-160 days. For ripening grapes, the sum of active temperatures of 3000-3100 ° C is required. If the weather outside by this time is warm, then the bunches can hang on the bush for a long time, improving the sugar content of the berries. However, excessive overexposure threatens harvesting difficulties due to shedding of the brushes. The yield is quite high and stable - 100-120 kg / ha. From a well-developed bush, you can pick up to 40 kilograms of berries. Each fruitful shoot can develop 3-6 bunches. Ripening of shoots depending on weather conditions is good and very good. The sugar content of the juice of Lydia berries is 18-19 g per 100 cubic centimeters, the acidity varies in the range of 5.5-9.3 g / l.
Agrotechnical features of the variety are very high resistance to fungal diseases. Treatment against the main diseases of grapes is not required for him. In addition, the bushes tolerate excessive waterlogging relatively easily, while their drought resistance is low. They are relatively salt-tolerant and at the same time very sensitive to lime chlorosis. Due to increased frost resistance and a relatively high strength of growth and complex resistance to diseases, Lydia succeeds well in a wall culture, is suitable for arranging arbors, arches, alleys, and is used in landscaping. It is grown on vertical trellises without shelter for the winter. Phyloxera resistance is low, and therefore grapes need to be grown on a rootstock in areas infested by this soil pest. The crop often needs to be protected from starlings, sparrows and other birds.
The variety enters the fruiting phase at an average time, in the third year you can get the first bunches, and from the fourth year the bushes will begin to reach their potential yield. It is possible to form bushes in the southern regions on a trunk without fear of frost damage to the vine. In places where it is possible for the winter temperature to drop below -26 ° C, cover formations must be used. The bushes should be loaded with 40−45 eyes, with the length of pruning fruit vines for 6−10 buds. The variety responds well to the application of fertilizers to the soil, watering and foliar dressing with macro- and microelements. Due to the tendency of grapes to thicken, they require green operations such as pinching and chasing.
Summing up, it is worth noting that despite the ambiguous assessment of Lydia's technological capabilities by winemakers, she still remains attractive due to its unpretentiousness, winter hardiness and productivity with low production costs. Perhaps, at present, it does not make sense to plant plantings on an industrial scale with its help, but on personal plots in an arched culture, it will always look elegant, delighting the owners with a very worthy harvest of fragrant bunches. Even if you are confused by rumors about the content of methyl alcohol in wine, you can always process the berries of this variety into fragrant jams or compotes.
Lydia was one of the first to appear on my garden plot, and she, in fact, became a test specimen for me, on which I learned to grow grapes, form a bush, and cut off shoots for the winter. And this is not surprising, because it rarely requires treatment against pests or diseases, even in a rainy summer, such popular diseases as mildew or anthracnose do not always appear on it. Therefore, the grape harvest was ensured in all weather conditions, even for an inexperienced gardener. The only thing I didn’t like about growing it was when, in a drought, the berries on the bunches for no reason at all began to dry out. But then I still did not know that this is a problem of almost all varieties and in order to have a plentiful and high-quality crop, irrigation is indispensable.
Lydia's berries are not very large, so we rarely eat them. They are mainly used for juices and preserves. There are also other varieties for wine, because from Lydia it is rather sour. And if the summer was rainy, then it is better not to try at all - you will only transfer sugar.
This variety winters very well. Even after 30-degree frosts in the spring, the bush, as if nothing had happened, throws out shoots on which 2 - 5, and sometimes more (then you have to thin out) bunches. But I think this moment still depends on where the grapes grow. I have it in a cozy, quiet place.
Of course, if we compare this variety with the others available on my site (all together I have six of them), then in terms of the quality of the fruits, it loses in many ways. But fertility and unpretentiousness still gives him the right to occupy his special place in the garden.
It is difficult to find a garden plot in our region where Lydia grapes are not grown. It is so unpretentious that by planting it in a sunny place, the owner can forget about leaving, and only harvest every year. It grows very strongly. Many people use it as a hedge. For the winter, it does not require sprinkling the vine with earth, like the grapes of the southern varieties. In winter, sometimes we have frosts up to 25 degrees, which Lydia tolerates very well. Diseases are almost not susceptible.
Many of its berries make wine. But I don't really like it, as it tastes too "homely". Here the juice from it is not bad, and the canned compote is just wonderful. This will not work from grapes of other varieties. The variety is considered a table variety, the pulp of the berry does not separate from the stone, but has a rather pleasant taste.