Vitis 'ISABELLA'

Isabella is a non-European variety of grape vine with large grapes and mid-sized to large globules. The colour is dark purple, almost black. It has a special acidulated taste, sweet and aromatic. It is grown as table wine as well as for wine-making (Uhudler and Fragolino wines). It is picked at the end of September when the grapes gain an overall deep purple colour. This variety is not suitable for green-house cultivation.

Grape vine has to be pruned every year in warmer days of January or at the end of winter after the danger of the worst frosts. Cut back side branches to 2-3 buds – 2-years-old wood bears fruit. Treat it against mite before buds open. When it sets fruit cut off the new shoots a few centimeters above the grape and do not let it grow again. From midsummer you can start removing leaves from above the grapes to allow direct sunlight. Get some wasp-trap as they could ruin your fruit and may get dangerous.

Grow grape vine in sunny and airy (not windy) locations. It is not suitable for damp sites and shady pergolas where it can easily be affected by diseases. Provide a good support. The best results are on slopes – because of the angle of sun rays. The soil has to be permeable, humus-rich and deep. Extra watering is desired by end spring and later only if the summer is dry, and always directly in the soil, never water the whole plant. In autumn remove fallen leaves from under the plants as they might contain diseases and mites. Fertilizing is good if adequate, otherwise the plant will grow wild and set too much fruit of inferior quality. Hardy to min. -24°C.

Last update 10-10-2008.