About PIWI Grapes

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PIWI Grape Varieties

Marlen is the result of the breeding work of Prof. Ing. Vilém Kraus and colleagues. It is a red grapevine cultivar with a high resistance to fungal pathogens. Grapes can be used for the making of red and rose wine. It is the result of crossing cultivars Merlan ×Fratava. Clusters are either medium-density or loose. Dark red berries are large, rounded and with a thin waxy layer on the surface. Ideal site requirements are sloped and sunny localities facing south to southwest. Windy sites are not recommended. Soil requirements are not specific. This cultivar also tolerates winter frosts. Its resistance to fungi is good.

Marlen is ripe in the second week of October. Under favourable conditions, it can be harvested until the end of October to produce wine of very high quality. Berries contain relatively high amounts of methoxypyrazines, which may sometimes cause a marked ‘grassy’ taste in the wines. Sugar content and phenolic ripeness are very good. The wine is ruby coloured. In its smell and taste, it is possible to detect green pepper and fine subtones of forest berries and red fruit ( strawberries, raspberries, ripe cherries and sour cherries). It is a full-bodied wine with a pleasant content of tannins. Marlen is also recommended for growing in systems of organic viticulture.