Tsulukidzis Tetra

Tsulukidzis Tetra was assimilated into the Albilio variety in the Nikitski Botanical Garden (Yalta). Many ampelographic characters are however different from those of the real Albilio. In 1933 Albilio was introduced into Telavi’s variety collection. Ampelographer D. Tabidze defined it as similar to the widely distributed Georgian variety Tsulukidzis Tetra. Then, N. Tsertsvadze, in his research work aimed at classification of the following Georgian native varieties: Albilio, Krimski and Tsulukidzis Tetra confirmed the similarity between them. In the work of N. Tsertsvadze, Tsulukidzis Tetra was classified in the same group as Rkatsiteli and five other local Georgian varieties. Later, this classification was confirmed by cytologist L. Vashakidze. Tsulikidzis Tetra is diffused in the Ratcha-Lechkhumi district. It is also included in the official list of recommended varieties in Georgia.

Budburst period: medium.
Ripening period: medium.
Yield: high.

Ampelographic characters:

the tip of the young shoot and the first two distal leaves are covered in a thick down and have reddish edges. The adult leaves are large and three- or five-lobed. The upper sinuses are medium-sized and lyre-shaped, while the lower ones are very small. The petiolar sinus is lyre shaped. There are triangular convex teeth on both sides of the leaf. The underside is covered with sparse hair. The cluster is medium-sized, conical or cylindrical-conical, sometimes winged and moderately compact. The small or medium, round and yellow-green berry has thick skin and juicy difficult to separate pulp.

Cultural aptitude:

semi-upright growth habit, medium vigour.

Training system and pruning:

double Guyot with two fruit canes is the most widely used training system.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

good resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew. Low resistance to botrytis especially in rainy autumns.

Enological potential:

this variety is used for production of high-quality table wines and semi-sweet wines in the Ambrolauri and Oni districts. It is also used for production of high-quality dessert wines in Crimea, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Clones in propagation:

VCR35, VCR66.

Tsulukidzis Tetra

VCR35

Origin: Georgia

Vigour

Cluster

Berry

Yield

VARIETY AVERAGE

SENSORY ANALYSIS

—●— Variety average

—●— VCR35

Description:

biotype of good vigour with a medium-sized, cylindrical, elongated, semi-sparse cluster with two very short wings and a medium-large, slightly ovoid berry. Its fertility and production are slightly above the varietal average. It gives wines that are straw yellow in colour, with greenish reflections, intense and alcoholic, characterised with scents of white flowers and aromatic herbs. On the palate it tastes structured, with a pleasant acidulous note that enhances its savouriness and increases its persistence. Suitable for production of young and fresh wines, but also for more complex ones, requiring short aging. In its original growing area, it is produced in dry and semi-dry versions. In Crimea, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan it is also used for the production of high-quality raisin wines.

Tsulukidzis Tetra

VCR66

Origin: Georgia

Vigour

Cluster

Berry

Yield

VARIETY AVERAGE

SENSORY ANALYSIS

—●— Variety average

—●— VCR66

Description:

biotype of good vigour with a medium-large, cylindrical, elongated, semi-sparse cluster, sometimes with a developed wing. The medium-large, spheroid, slightly flattened berry, has a firm, golden skin with greenish reflections. Average in fertility, with good and constant production. Its wine is golden yellow with greenish reflections with a very broad aromatic profile; its complexity releases fruity, floral and citrus scents, amongst which banana, pineapple and peach are predominant, with orange blossom, grapefruit and lemon zest, with more delicate Mediterranean-like herbal hints. On the palate it is structured and full-bodied; its acidity and marked savouriness balance the alcohol content and enhance persistence, making this wine very pleasant. In the origin areas it is produced in dry, semi-dry and for quality sweet wines. Suitable for production of wines for short aging too.