How to preserve grapes in winter. How to preserve grapes at home

The first, most obvious and reliable way of winter storage at home is the refrigerator.
At a temperature of +2-4C, grapes are best stored. If it is possible to install a separate refrigerator in a non-residential area, for example, in a basement or on a balcony, then it can be disinfected by fumigation with sulfur, and this will further increase the chances of good preservation of the grapes. If there is no refrigerator or there is not enough space in it, storage can be organized in a cold cellar or basement. It is advisable that the basement be dry; in damp conditions you will have to constantly fight mold and rot. It is best to hang the bunches on hooks or specially stretched wire; in this form they are well ventilated and stored well for several months.

It’s even better to cut off clusters of vine sections and place their lower ends in water to replenish moisture. This method is not always acceptable, but if it is possible to use it, both the berries and the ridges will be better preserved.

If there are a lot of bunches, and the cellar is not gigantic in size, then you can save the grapes simply by putting the bunches in boxes. Large bunches are placed in one layer, the bottom of the box must be covered with paper, and there should be holes on the sides for ventilation. It is preferable to take low boxes; modern small plastic fruit boxes are a good option. An alternative could be trays made from boards with a wall height of about 10 cm.

With this storage method, ventilation is worse and the likelihood of rot development is higher. In industry, fruits and berries intended for long-term transportation and storage are treated with rot fungicides before harvesting. Triazoles (in particular Topaz), benzimidazoles, etc. are used. I cannot recommend these methods for use at home. As an alternative to chemicals, we can recommend the following: a day or two before harvesting, treat the bunches with a solution of baking soda (100g per 10l of water). For small volumes, you can use a hand sprayer. This measure does not guarantee protection against rot, but to some extent a layer of soda on the berries will prevent the development of mold and putrefactive fungi.

Another very good way to preserve grapes in boxes is to use sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite. These preparations are produced in tablet form and are used for storing fruits and in winemaking. As a result of the gradual decomposition of the substance, sulfur dioxide SO2 is released, which has an antiseptic effect directly in the storage container. Depending on the air temperature, a box of 10 kg of grapes will require from 10 to 30 grams of potassium metabisulfite. The formation of sulfur dioxide is slow, and the effect of the tablets placed in the box lasts for 3-4 months. Berries may become discolored and acquire a sulfur taste upon direct contact with the drug, so it is advisable to wrap the tablets in breathable napkins and distribute them as evenly as possible throughout the box. The best effect is obtained when using an antiseptic from the very beginning of storage, simultaneously with laying the bunches. In this case, intensive ventilation of the room and boxes with bunches is not desirable, so the walls of the container are lined with paper, covering the side walls of the box. If these preparations are available to you, this is the best way to preserve fresh grapes at home.

How to store grapes in the basement. How to preserve grapes in a cellar in winter

A cool cellar or basement is one of the best places in which grapes can preserve their original taste, color, and aroma.

You can keep grapes there if the temperature in the space is kept within +1-8 degrees, and the humidity is maintained at 70-80%; otherwise, the fruits will most likely dry out. If they are over-moistened, mold or rot may form on them.

To maintain the required parameters, a ventilation system is installed in the basement; in extreme cases, it is ventilated more often or a bucket of coal or lime is placed near the grapes.

Using water containers

When asked how to store grapes, it is most often recommended to use containers with water. This method is ideal for small quantities.

During the harvesting process, the bunches are cut off along with the vines, and the elongated tips of the branches are placed in bottles or vessels with water. To ensure that the brushes hang freely, the containers are held at an angle. It is also useful to add aspirin or activated carbon in tablet form to the water to prevent the spread of bacteria.

For reference! This method helps preserve the freshness of the bunches for up to 2 months or longer.

Hanging

The hanging option allows you to preserve grape bunches for as long as possible during the winter. They are tied together in several pieces using twine or wire, which are pulled in several rows and held in place with clothespins and threads.

All brushes should be placed tightly, but with the necessary intervals (at least 3-5 cm) for air circulation. During storage, all preparations are inspected and damaged grapes are removed.

It is best to pull the twine at different heights so that the tassels do not touch.

Attention! Place polyethylene or burlap on the floor to collect berries that have fallen.

Bunches of grapes

Application of boxes and barrels

Those who are interested in how to store harvested grapes at home should consider the method with boxes or barrels, which is ideal for a private home and long-term storage.

For containers, you can take boxes or tubs made of wood, pre-treated with sulfur or an antiseptic. When they dry, cover the bottom with straw or sawdust and place dry brushes on this layer so that they do not touch.

All rows are covered with layers of sawdust, sawdust material is also poured on top of the bunches and the containers are covered with lids. The boxes should not be filled to the top; leave a little space between the lid and the layer.

On shelves

Shelves in the cellar or basement are also suitable for storage; in addition, spacious racks with a depth of no more than 70-75 cm and a width of 40-50 cm can be equipped there.

In this way you can protect the grapes from the cold and preserve their properties to the fullest. The brushes are placed with the ridges up, laying them by hand and after putting on gloves.

This option provides the crop with excellent ventilation and makes it easier to inspect the berries.

Ridge storage

You can store berries on ridges. For this purpose, special crossbars are constructed, hooks are attached to them and suspended on wires or stretched threads.

Before hanging, the brushes are cut with a piece of vine for more convenient placement. The presence of a vine allows you to fully preserve all the beneficial substances in the grapes and extend the shelf life of the berries to 5-6 months.

Attention! With this method, the grapes will wilt well and lose moisture, but at the same time they will gain a lot of sugar.

About expiration dates

Dark varieties with good transportability can be stored for up to 5 months. These include: Oktyabrsky, Tashly, Isabella, Late. Table varieties are stored a little less, up to 3 months: Tavriz, Husayne, Senso. You can understand how long the grapes will last by the appearance of the fruit. The berries that will last the longest will be the ones whose surface has no cracks and the berries themselves sit firmly on the stalks. Large-fruited varieties are stored longer than small-fruited ones.

How to store grapes for the winter in the cellar. Storing grape cuttings in winter

Now grapes are on store shelves all year round. But how is it stored, how is it processed, and is it worth buying it for children?

Everyone who grows this crop has at least once asked themselves the question of how to preserve grapes, enjoy these delicious fruits longer, and not limit themselves to three or four months.

Some Internet sources contain descriptions of cases where the berries were preserved until June of next year.

It is worth noting that the berry does not tolerate long-term storage and therefore, in order to achieve good results, it is necessary to choose the right variety and create optimal conditions.

At home, grapes are usually stored in the cellar. Let's look at how to store grapes in a cellar or some other suitable room.

Fruits should be stored in a dry, clean, sun-proof room with a temperature range of 1 – 4°C.

What to avoid during storage:

sunlight and fresh air
the influence of these two factors reduces the quality of the grapes, under their influence sugar is destroyed and the acid content changes, as a result of which the taste is lost; – sudden changes in temperature;
moisture and dampness in the room.

The walls of the storage facilities, before planting a new crop, are treated with lime every year, and the premises are treated to disinfect and prevent the appearance of mold and mildew.

For treatment, use sulfur dioxide or formaldehyde (30 ml of formaldehyde per 1 square meter of area, followed by ventilation every other day) or fumigated with sulfur (using 40 - 45 g of sulfur per cubic meter of room, followed by ventilation).

To reduce air humidity, you can place a container with dry quicklime, charcoal or salt.

Storage methods

The most common storage method at home is hanging it in a whole bunch by the stem of a comb or with a small piece of vine. The advantages of this method are that the bunches are always in sight.

Carrying out an inspection once a week or two, it is convenient to inspect them and remove spoiled berries. The downside is that you can’t hang many grapes this way.

It should be remembered that they must be hung so that they do not touch each other.

During harvesting, a bunch of grapes is cut with a piece of vine so that one eye remains above the bunch, and below is a shoot 20–25 cm long.

Place the shoot with the brush in a container of water, and to avoid the need to change the water frequently, add tablets or pieces of activated carbon. Please note that the bunches should not touch each other or the walls of the dish.

What to do if it is not possible to store it in a storage room or cellar? Or, for example, you are just going to buy berries in season and are wondering how to preserve them longer. The solution is to store it in the refrigerator.

Before buying, be sure to inspect the fruits; crumpled, rotten, or wet fruits should not be taken.

Pack into bags. There is absolutely no need to wash or rinse before packaging; excess moisture will contribute to the development of harmful microflora.

It is better to choose a place on the shelf for vegetables and fruits, where the temperature is kept within 1 ° C.

If you took out the berries for eating, but some remained after dessert, put them back in the refrigerator as soon as possible and eat them first.

When there are a lot of berries, no one will be involved in hanging and storing them on the vine; in such conditions it is better to store them in special low boxes. The bottom of the box is covered with sawdust or peat, then the clusters are laid in one layer and again filled with sawdust or peat. Please note that the material for spilling must be dry, free from mold and odor.

To prevent spoilage of berries and the development of harmful microflora, the room is fumigated with sulfur once a week (using 2 - 4 g of sulfur per 1 m3 of room area, followed by ventilation every other day).

The powder is mixed with the material that is poured into the bunches at the rate of 20 g per 6 - 8 kg of berries or poured in a thin layer on the bottom of the box between two layers of paper.

The spring period and most of the summer pass for most gardeners in work. Taking care of fruit crops takes a lot of time and effort, but what a pleasure it is to harvest.

But it’s too early to relax, because you need to think about how to distribute the fruits for processing and create favorable conditions for long-term storage at home.

This review will discuss how you can preserve grapes for the winter.

Which varieties are suitable for long-term storage?

Before you purchase grapes for planting, you should decide on further methods of storing and processing the crop. If you want to prepare fresh bunches for the New Year's table, then it is recommended to consider varieties that are suitable for long-term storage and will not create problems during storage.

In memory of Negrul

Grape Memory Negrul
The variety was developed as a result of crossing Corna Negrul and Datier de Saint-Vallier. A plant with an average ripening period tolerates frost well and is highly resistant to typical diseases. The bushes bear cylindrical clusters of medium size, weighing up to 400-700 grams. The ovoid berries are almost black in color. Each weight is 5-9 grams. The sugar content in fruits is 16-18% with an acidity of 5-7 g/l.

Features of the variety:

the fruits are covered with a dense waxy coating, which ensures long-term storage;
the plant has good immunity ;
the powerful skeleton of the bush allows for increased yields;
insects practically do not attack the vine.

Fresh berries can be stored at home at a certain temperature for up to 130 days.

Original

Grape variety Original
This variety has several varieties, the main difference of which is the color of the berries. There are three of them: white, pink and black. All plants are frost-resistant (down to -21°) and have long-term storage of berries. This is facilitated by the thick skin of the fruit and a waxy coating.

Features of the Original grapes:

bunch weight – 400-600 g, some specimens weigh up to 2 kg;
the shape of the berries is ovoid, the weight of one is 10-12 g;
the taste is without pronounced notes, but at the same time harmonious;
high yield (with proper care, up to 100 kg of fruit can be removed from the bush).

Fresh berries can be stored at home at a certain temperature for up to 130 days.

Crane Anniversary

Grape variety Jubilee
Crane Late ripening plant with a growing season of 150-167 days. The vigor of the bush is average, but this does not prevent the formation of large conical clusters, the weight of which reaches 400-500 grams. There are specimens up to 1.4 kg. The taste is simple, but the sweetness is well felt (18-19% with an acid of 8.5-9 g/l).

Grape Features:

early entry into the fruiting period of the young vine (in the second year after planting);
productivity indicators are high;
frost resistance (up to -25°);
strong immunity minimizes preventive measures.

Fresh berries can be stored at home at a certain temperature for up to 130 days.

Nistru

Grape variety Nistru
The plant is medium-sized with a growing season of 156-167 days. The variety was obtained by crossing Nimrang and Pierrell. Beautiful cylindrical clusters weighing 700-800 grams ripen on the bushes, but there are also real record holders, reaching 3 kg. The brush density is medium. The yellow-green berry has an oval shape, and at the ripe stage it becomes covered with a pinkish tint. The weight of one is 7-8 grams. Sugar content – 16% with acid 7 g/l.

Features of the variety:

strong immunity (allows you to grow crops without spraying);
frost resistance down to minus 21°;
the vine does not require shelter for the winter;
good transportability .

Fresh berries can be stored at home at a certain temperature for up to 140 days.

Storing grapes in refrigerators. Storing grapes in the refrigerator

If you want to preserve the berries for the maximum period, then use the refrigerator. If all conditions are met, the grapes will retain their beneficial properties for more than six months. You can store it either in the freezer or in the general compartment, but the result will be different. If you do not want to freeze it, then place it in the vegetable compartment, having first cleared the bunch of green and overripe berries.

Freezing in the freezer

The freezer helps store grapes for up to one year, but to do this you need to perform several sequential steps:

carefully inspect the grapes and select only ripe and elastic berries;
tear them off the bunch and put them in a container;
rinse with running water;
place in the refrigerator for 2–3 hours to cool;
Place the berries in a container or plastic bag and place in the freezer.

If you want to freeze grapes in small bunches, then first hang dry them.

How to defrost grapes correctly

To ensure that the berries retain their beneficial properties, move them from the freezer to the main compartment of the refrigerator for 18–20 hours. To defrost the grapes quickly, fill them with water at room temperature. It is advisable to consume the berries within an hour, as they will then lose their properties and spoil.

Do not defrost berries in the microwave under any circumstances, as almost all the beneficial substances will disappear immediately. To make compote or jam, you don’t need to defrost the grapes at all.

How to preserve grapes after harvest. Features and rules of harvesting

Harvesting grapes is a labor-intensive process that requires skills and technology, depending on the variety and further use of the product.

Table varieties

Table grapes are harvested in a state of full ripeness, which is assessed by taste and external characteristics described in the previous paragraph. In addition, pay attention to the sugar level: for ripe berries this indicator should not be lower than 12–14%; the higher the sugar content, the better the harvested product will be stored. It should be taken into account that the grapes ripen unevenly, and accordingly, harvesting in this case is carried out in several stages as the berries are ready.

The table variety product is harvested in dry weather, in the first half of the day, the clusters are cut by hand using garden shears, and then placed in wooden boxes with the stalks facing up. Place paper or grape leaves on the bottom of the container. Filled boxes should be immediately put into the shade. You cannot cut the fruits immediately after rain; it is better to postpone harvesting for a couple of days so that the moisture evaporates.

Important! When picking grapes by hand, you should try not to damage the wax coating on the berries, as it not only improves their appearance, but also protects them from rotting.

Technical varieties

Harvesting technical varieties of crops is slightly different: as a rule, in this case, harvesting is done not by hand, but by special machines resembling a combine harvester. This method significantly speeds up the work, but significantly spoils the presentation of the berries; accordingly, it is used only for a product that will be used for further processing, for example, for making wine or juice.

Technical grape varieties are harvested without waiting for all the bunches to ripen; usually in this case they are guided by the percentage of sugar in the juice of the berries (as soon as it reaches the maximum level for a given variety, harvesting can be done).

Prevention of mold and insects

If mold or insects appear - that’s it, most of the harvest will go down the drain, as they say. Therefore, regularly carry out preventive measures, which will include the following:

Sort through the berries and throw out those that have spoiled. This will prevent the processes of rotting and fermentation, which will prevent mold and insects from appearing.
Control the temperature. Ventilate the room using ventilation or naturally as necessary.
If it's frosty outside, warm up the grapes.

FAQ

Natalia Papanova

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How long do grapes last?

Depending on the method chosen, grapes can be stored for 1 to 8 months.

Does the taste of grapes change during storage?

No, it does not change if you follow the storage rules and do not allow foreign odors to come with the brushes. If these conditions are not met, the taste of the grapes will change.

What to do if mold appears: save it or throw it away?

If mold appears, it is better to throw away the brush. You can remove all the damaged berries from it, and eat the rest right away. But such copies cannot be left for storage any longer.