Grape variety and grafted vine plant Riesling B.: all the secrets

Riesling. B.

A grape variety originally from the Rhine Valleys, which later spread to other northern and central European countries, while in Italy it is grown in Trentino-Alto Adige and more generally in the hilly areas of the North-East.

CULTIVATED AREA IN ITALY

YEAR	1970	1982	1990	2000	2010
HECTARES	374	283	378	623	700

CULTIVATED AREA IN FRANCE

YEAR	1968	1979	1988	1998	2008	2018
HECTARES	1.047	2.195	2.918	3.404	3.423	3.492

Bud-burst period: everage.
Ripening period:everage.
Yield: fairly good and quite constant, provided no coulure phenomena occur.

Ampelographic characters:

the variety is fairly homogeneous, the main differences being cluster size and organoleptic properties. The bud has an expanded cottony whitish apex with unfolded, also whitish apical leaflets. The medium-sized, roundish, almost whole leaves present a thick, wavy, dark green blade and clear purplish-red veins at the base. The V-shaped petiolar sinus has sometimes overlapping edges. The underside is arachnoid. The stumpy cluster is small and compact. The medium-small, spheroid berry is amber yellow in colour. The skin is thick, the pulp is juicy, with a delicate aromatic flavour.

Cultural aptitude:

vine of excellent vigour with semi-drooping growth habit; not too balanced. It prefers well-exposed, hilly, not too clayey and humid soils.

Training system and pruning:

it prefers slightly expanded training systems and medium-long pruning.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

prone to coulure in unsuitable areas, it needs well-exposed and ventilated areas to avoid excessive botrytis damage. Good resistance to winter and late cold weather.