In viticulture, the grape cluster (also bunch of grapes) is a fertilized inflorescence of the grapevine, the only part of this plant used for food. [1] The size of the grape bunch greatly varies, from few grams to kilograms, depending on the grape variety and conditions during the fruit set. [2]
The placement of a cluster on the vine is similar to that of a tendril, [3] as both develop from the same uncommitted primordia, the anlagen. The grape bunch position on the side of the stem opposing a leaf is unusual for inflorescence of the plants. [2] The typical shape of a cluster depends on the grape variety. [4]
The bunch of grapes, like a tendril, has two arms. The inner arm develops into a full-grown cluster, the smaller outer one might die off, develop into a small tendril-like arm with no fruit, or form a large "wing" with berries that sometimes ripen differently than the ones of the main cluster (for example, in Trebbiano). [2]
The grape cluster is shaped as a panicle, with the main branch ("axis") called rachis. Additional branches ("shoulders" or branch-twigs ) are connected to the rachis irregularly and split into pedicels (short stems attaching individual berries). In a large cluster, the shoulders might bear secondary (sub-twigs) and sometimes tertiary branches before ending up with pedicels (the twig carrying the pedicels is also known as a terminal pedicel twig). The beginning of the rachis before the first split is called a peduncle. [3] [5] In a ripe cluster the peduncle might be the only fully visible part of the cluster branches. [6]
The arrangement of the branches, so called cluster architecture, determines the distribution of berries and free space within the cluster. The architecture is complex and influences yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases. [7] While mostly determined by the ramification patterns of the rachis, its development can be influenced by management technique, like leaf removal. [8]
A relational growth grammar (RGG) can be used to describe the architecture of a cluster. [9]
During the rapid growth phase of the vine shoot, future leaf buds and fruit buds are identical. A fruit bud differentiation process occurs in a mature vine under proper climatic and growth conditions will cause some buds to develop into the fruit ones. [10] The rudiments of the future flower clusters are formed during the summer season preceding the year of flowering [11] and develop after a winter rest. [12] The flowers develop simultaneously with the leaves, starting with calyx (about a week into the leafing phase) and followed by corolla (another week), stamens, and pistil. [4] The flowering takes about 45 to 70 days. The small greenish flowers are usually bisexual ("perfect"). [13] The latter trait is most likely an effect of a long cultivation, the newer (mostly American) varieties have imperfect flowers with varying intersex degrees. [14] Self-pollination is typical. [15]
Fruit set usually involves seed development, although multiple "seedless" varieties exist where the berries contain practically no trace of seed (Black Corinth), just the embryo seeds (Thompson Seedless a.k.a. sultana), or complete, but empty seeds (Chaouch). [15]
Berry development after set includes three periods: [16]
As the berry develops, it reaches the state of Ripening that depends on the future use of the fruit (the requirements might call, for example for higher acidity, or its opposite, higher sugar content). Past this stage, the berry is overripened (typically loses the acidity, glucose content, and mechanical sturdiness). [17]
The harvesting is done by cutting the entire clusters off the vine and packing them into containers. [18] The clusters rarely reach ripeness simultaneously, so frequently two or more pickings are used, with pickers selecting the clusters based on the appearance of the berries and stems (and occasional tasting of the berries). [19]
Grape cluster might refer to very diverse notions, from unity to immorality, it can also be a symbol of the gods of agriculture or fertility. [20]
Ancient Greek art though of clusters of grapes as symbols of fertility and sacrifice, the latter one due to blood-colored wine they produced, birds eating grapes were thought of as an expression of afterlife. [21] Personification of the grape bunch was represented by Staphylus. [22]
Like many other fruits and flowers, grape clusters are frequently used as symbols in the Christian art. Along with ears of wheat they represent the Eucharist, depicted alone might allude to the True Vine (playing the role similar to the lotus in Buddhism: "I am the vine" [23] ). In the early Christianity, clusters were occasionally combined with cherubs, possibly under the influence of Bacchus worship. Two men that carry a gigantic grape cluster on a pole are Moses' spies [24] returning from the Promised Land, [25] this image is also frequently used in modern Israel to promote the tourism and wine. [26] The Bible also contains an analogy between the grape cluster and female breasts. [27] [28]
Judaism used the bunch of grapes as a symbol of the nation of Israel. [29] Gary Porton (1976) suggests that the grape cluster in Judaism represents the (possibly Messianic) "great man" and points to its use during the bar Kokhba revolt. [30] [31] Menahem Mor (2016) argues that a grape cluster on the Israeli coins of the Second Temple period depicts fertility and should be understood as a national, and not religious, symbol. [32]
Heraldry frequently does not make a distinction between a grape cluster and a vine charges, [33] the proper tincture of the fruit is purpure, [34] the typical meaning is direct (vineyard or wine production). In military symbols, a cluster corresponds to action in a wine-producing region (like France).[ citation needed ]
The grape bunch is prolifically used in the decorative arts. [35]
Hellenized Jews used cluster images for mosaics at synagogues and decorations of tombs, probably alluding to the Greek symbolism of an eternal life, over time, these decorations lost their religious symbolism. As a reminder of the harvest (and thus joy), clusters of grapes are hung in sukkah, and can frequently be seen on Kiddush and Shabbat objects. [36]
Zante currants, Corinth raisins, Corinthian raisins or outside the United States simply currants, are raisins of the small, sweet, seedless grape cultivar Black Corinth. The name comes from the Anglo-French phrase "raisins de Corinthe" and the Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante), which was once the major producer and exporter. It is not related to black, red or white currants, which are berries of shrubs in the genus Ribes and not usually prepared in dried form.
Zinfandel is a variety of black-skinned wine grape. The variety is grown in over 10 percent of California vineyards. DNA analysis has revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag, as well as to the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in Apulia, Italy, where it was introduced in the 18th century, and Kratošija in Montenegro and Macedonia. The grape found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century, where it became known by variations of a name applied to a different grape, likely "Zierfandler" from Austria.
Vitis vinifera, the common grape vine, is a species of flowering plant, native to the Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran. As of 2012, there were between 5,000 and 10,000 varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes though only a few are of commercial significance for wine and table grape production.
Viticulture, viniculture, or winegrowing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. It is a branch of the science of horticulture. While the native territory of Vitis vinifera, the common grape vine, ranges from Western Europe to the Persian shores of the Caspian Sea, the vine has demonstrated high levels of adaptability to new environments, hence viticulture can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Agiorgitiko is a red Greek wine grape variety that, as of 2012, was the most widely planted red grape variety in Greece, ahead of Xynomavro. The grape has traditionally been grown in the Nemea region of the Peloponnese but can be found throughout the country including Attikí (Attica) and Makedonía (Macedonia).
Vitis labrusca, the fox grape, is a species of grapevines belonging to the Vitis genus in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The vines are native to eastern North America and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba, Concord, Delaware, Isabella, Niagara, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam, Alexander and Onaka. Among the characteristics of this vine species in contrast to the European wine grape Vitis vinifera are its "slip-skin" that allows the skin of the grape berries to easily slip off when squeezed, instead of crushing the pulp, and the presence of tendrils on every node of the cane. Another contrast with European vinifera is the characteristic "foxy" musk of V. labrusca, best known to most people through the Concord grape. This musk is not related to the mammalian fox, but rather to the strong, earthy aromas characteristic of the grapes that were known by early European-American settlers in the New World. The term "foxy" became a sort of catchall for the wine tasting descriptors used for these American wines that were distinct from the familiar flavors of the European viniferous wines.
Vitis riparia Michx, with common names riverbank grape or frost grape, is a vine indigenous to North America. As a climbing or trailing vine, it is widely distributed across central and eastern Canada and the central and northeastern parts of the United States, from Quebec to Texas, and eastern Montana to Nova Scotia. There are reports of isolated populations in the northwestern USA, but these are probably naturalized. It is long-lived and capable of reaching into the upper canopy of the tallest trees. It produces dark fruit that are appealing to both birds and people, and has been used extensively in commercial viticulture as grafted rootstock and in hybrid grape breeding programs.
Millerandage is a potential viticultural hazard in which grape bunches contain berries that differ greatly in size and, most importantly, maturity. Its most common cause is cold, rainy or otherwise bad weather during the flowering stage of the vines though other factors, such as boron deficiency or fanleaf degeneration, may also play a role.
Grolleau, or Grolleau noir, is a red French wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Loire Valley of France. The name is derived from the French word grolle, meaning "crow", and is said to reflect the deep black berries of the Grolleau vine. It is most commonly made into rosé wine, particularly in the Anjou region. Grolleau wines tend to have a low alcohol content and relatively high acidity.
Coulure is a viticultural hazard that is the result of metabolic reactions to weather conditions that causes a failure of grapes to develop after flowering. In English the word shatter is sometimes used. Coulure is triggered by periods of cold, cloudy, rainy weather or very high out-of-season temperatures. The condition is most often manifested in the spring. It also occurs in vines that have little sugar content in their tissue. Flowers stay closed and are not fertilized. Thus the vines are not pollinated as the grape fails to develop and falls off. Coulure can also cause irregular bunches of grapes which are less compact than normal. These bunches are more sensitive to developing various grape diseases. The yield of a vine with coulure will decrease substantially. Grape varieties with high proclivity to coulure are Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, and Muscat Ottonel. Other causes of coulure may be vineyard conditions and practices, pruning too early or too severely, excessively fertile soils or overuse of fertilizers, and improper selection of rootstocks or clones.
Vitis (grapevine) is a genus of 81 accepted species of vining plants in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The genus consists of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, both for direct consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine. The study and cultivation of grapevines is called viticulture.
The annual growth cycle of grapevines is the process that takes place in the vineyard each year, beginning with bud break in the spring and culminating in leaf fall in autumn followed by winter dormancy. From a winemaking perspective, each step in the process plays a vital role in the development of grapes with ideal characteristics for making wine. Viticulturalists and vineyard managers monitor the effect of climate, vine disease and pests in facilitating or impeding the vine's progression from bud break, flowering, fruit set, veraison, harvesting, leaf fall and dormancy – reacting if need be with the use of viticultural practices like canopy management, irrigation, vine training and the use of agrochemicals. The stages of the annual growth cycle usually become observable within the first year of a vine's life. The amount of time spent at each stage of the growth cycle depends on a number of factors – most notably the type of climate and the characteristics of the grape variety.
In viticulture, the canopy of a grapevine includes the parts of the vine visible aboveground - the trunk, cordon, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The canopy plays a key role in light energy capture via photosynthesis, water use as regulated by transpiration, and microclimate of ripening grapes. Canopy management is an important aspect of viticulture due to its effect on grape yields, quality, vigor, and the prevention of grape diseases. Various viticulture problems, such as uneven grape ripening, sunburn, and frost damage, can be addressed by skillful canopy management. In addition to pruning and leaf trim, the canopy is often trained on trellis systems to guide its growth and assist in access for ongoing management and harvest.
This glossary of viticultural terms list some of terms and definitions involved in growing grapes for use in winemaking.
In viticulture, ripeness is the completion of the ripening process of wine grapes on the vine which signals the beginning of harvest. What exactly constitutes ripeness will vary depending on what style of wine is being produced and what the winemaker and viticulturist personally believe constitutes ripeness. Once the grapes are harvested, the physical and chemical components of the grape which will influence a wine's quality are essentially set so determining the optimal moment of ripeness for harvest may be considered the most crucial decision in winemaking.
The use of vine training systems in viticulture is aimed primarily to assist in canopy management with finding the balance in enough foliage to facilitate photosynthesis without excessive shading that could impede grape ripening or promote grape diseases. Additional benefits of utilizing particular training systems could be to control potential yields and to facilitate mechanization of certain vineyard tasks such as pruning, irrigation, applying pesticide or fertilizing sprays as well as harvesting the grapes.
Calitor or Calitor noir is a red French wine grape variety. It was previously widely cultivated in southern France, in particular in Provence, but is now very rare, almost extinct. Historically used as mainly a blending variety, Calitor gives high yields and produces a light-bodied and lightly colored wine. When grown on hillside sites, it can give a wine of character.
Thomcord is a seedless table grape variety and a hybrid of the popular Thompson Seedless or Sultanina grape and Concord grape. Thomcord was developed in 1983 by Californian grape breeders working for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of a test to better understand a new seedless grape breeding procedure.
Cabernet blanc is a white German and Swiss wine grape variety that is a crossing of the French wine grape Cabernet Sauvignon and the hybrid grape Regent. The grape was bred by Swiss grape breeder Valentin Blattner in 1991. Cabernet blanc has strong resistance to most grape disease including botrytis bunch rot, downy and powdery mildew and tends to produce loose clusters of small, thick-skinned grape berries which can hang on the vine late into the harvest season to produce dessert wines. Today the grape is found primarily in the Palatinate wine region of Germany with some experimental plantings in Spain and the Netherlands. In France, in the Languedoc, Domaine La Colombette is heavily investing in PIWI grapes. Amongst others the Cabernet Blanc in their cuvée "Au Creux du Nid", is gaining wide acclaim.
Mtevandidi is an indigenous red grape variety from the region of Guria in the country of Georgia, primarily used for producing table wine. It is known also by the synonyms Akido, Achido, Didd Mtevana, Didmtevana, and Didtevano. There are no written sources regarding the origin of Mtevandidi. Botanical and agricultural features suggest that this variety is indigenous to Georgia.
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