Grape cultivation: myths and reality

Grape cultivation in Lithuania is shrouded in myths, tales and legends. Unfortunately, most people are familiar with the sour berries growing near their neighbors’ apartment building or on their porch, and their flavor is very different from what they tasted in Spain or at the local store. Dr. Asta Ramaškevičienėagronomist, associate professor at ASU and winemaker, debunks several common myths about growing grapes in Lithuania.

Myth: It is impossible to grow delicious sweet grapes in Lithuania.

Asta Ramaškevičienė destroys this myth: anything is really possible. Of course, you need to choose the breed responsibly. Our climatic conditions are different from those of Italy, Spain or France, so grapes grown in these southern countries can only be grown indoors. And in Lithuania there are many enthusiasts who do just that: they grow wonderful tasting grapes in greenhouses, their bunches can weigh even more than 1 kg. However, other varieties can be grown without cover, just outside.

Dr. Asta Ramaškevičienė assures that the mission of grape cultivation in Lithuania is also possible. photo A. Ramaškevičienė

It certainly doesn’t taste like what many remember from the old days, but it also doesn’t taste like the kind of grapes we buy in the store, simply because you’re growing a different variety. If we didn’t grow apples, we would probably know Jonagold and some other varieties sold in the store. And as we grow up, we also know Lilacs, Anthony’s, «Golden», «Champions» and countless others.

In Lithuania you can grow various grape varieties with different tastes and aromas – there is something to choose from. The most successful grapes are delicious just to eat, and you can even squeeze juice from them – the taste will be delicate, much better than store-bought sweet juice.

In Lithuania, stoneless grapes can also be grown, but these varieties should be covered for the winter.

Myth: It is impossible to grow grapes for wine production in Lithuania

We will also debunk this myth. Furthermore, winemaking in Lithuania is a national heritage craft, and there are many of its promoters in Lithuania! After all, not all Lithuanians lived only on turnips, there are also Lithuanian traditions of winemaking.

Of course, the taste of wine obtained from grapes grown in Lithuania is different from that of the south, because the varieties are different, the wine is different. However, if not only Latvians but also Finns grow grapes for wine, we can certainly do it too.

At the «Garden Style» exhibition of the conference on environmental design it was possible to taste the grapes grown in Lithuania and the wine made from them. author of the photo Julius Andužis

Wine can be made from grapes grown here. For example, the varieties Regent, Rondo, Leon Millot would be suitable for red wine and Solaris for white. The Lithuanian varieties bred by A.Gailiūnas are also perfect for our climate. For example, with «Varduva» the white wine is wonderfully fragrant, «Juodkrantė» smells of currants and «Juodupė», which is the earliest variety and always manages to ripen, accumulates a little too little sugar, but can be used to produce a light, fresh wine. Berries, juice and wine could be tasted at the environmental design conference «Garden Style», which took place in 2016. was held in Trakai on August 27. We not only see our backyard environment, but we also feel it with all our senses, and grapes look beautiful, smell delicious, and taste amazing. Dr. Asta Ramaškevičienė explained at the conference how to grow delicious grapes in your own garden.

All the varieties mentioned are suitable not only for making wine, but also just for eating, because they have a perfectly balanced acid and sugar balance. Solaris is also a wonderful tasting grape. Imagine harvesting in your garden, tasting, serving to others and taking guests with you when you visit.

Grape ‘Solaris’ – can be enjoyed straight away or made into juice or wine. photo A. Ramaškevičienė

Myth: Grapes need to be heavily fertilized and sprayed with chemicals

The specialist says that fertilization of grapes is minimal. Potassium and phosphorus are the most important elements for successful viticulture, and these elements are not so special or rare as to require artificial supplementation. Grapes have deep roots and absorb many elements from the deep layers of the soil. Therefore only in rare cases is a more serious addition of potassium or phosphorus necessary.

In general, grapes are a relatively undemanding plant. And now selection has already advanced to such a point that increasingly resistant varieties are emerging, both to unsuitable environmental conditions and to diseases. There are very few winters when the temperature drops below -25 degrees, so bred grape hybrids grow best in Lithuania. Of course, all kinds of things can happen in nature that you are not protected from. The same applies in the southern regions, where hail sometimes falls or entire fields dry out due to drought.

Selection has now progressed to such a point that varieties are becoming increasingly resistant to both unfavorable environmental conditions and diseases. In the photo the variety ‘Leon Millot’. photo A. Ramaškevičienė

Lithuanian growers recommend paying attention to the more resistant varieties. It is enough to spray them only once or twice a year, because there are not many common diseases that constantly disturb these plants. And in some years it is possible to do without spraying.

Myth: You will have to choose berries or leaves

Sometimes people choose to grow grapes not only for the berries, but also for the beauty. Grapes can wrap beautifully around the corner of the gazebo, can grow green on a transparent wall made of ropes, can provide shade to a holiday arbor – simply beauty, romance and taste in one.

The vines need to be pruned, but enough leaves remain to create a nice barrier for your patio. photo A. Ramaškevičienė

However, there is an opinion that for a good harvest it is necessary to prune grapes so hard that you basically have to choose what you want: berries or a curtain of leaves.

Grapes need to be prunedsays Asta Ramaškevičienė. The more pruning, the better the grapes will look and the better the union. However, this does not mean that you have to choose – you can definitely combine taste and beauty. Pruned grapes look beautiful, their branches grow in proportion and the hanging bunches add their charm. The leaves do not disappear anywhere, only a few branches need to be cut, and as a result, a beautiful and compact plant does not look worse.

So know that it is possible to grow delicious grapes in Lithuania: grow them courageously and get to know the taste of home-grown grapes.