Khopaturi
Khopaturi – has been well known, since ancient times, as a high quality harvest vine variety. There are no literary materials about Khopaturi.
E. Nakashidze, in his work (9,) mentions a “Kvapaturi”, which was cultivated in Guria, Western Georgia (Gurianta, Lanchkhuti, and Kakhura villages).
S. Timofeev, during the characterization of Adjarian vines (11), gives a short description of Khopatura, which means that it could belong to Adjari vine varieties.
According to academician Iv. Javakhishvili (6), Kvapaturi must be the phonetical description of Khopaturi and that it must have been cultivated in the village of Khopa (Chaneti) and was name after said village.
It is proved, by morphological and biological features of the vine, that Khopaturi, or Kvapaturi as it is called in Guria, originates from Adjara.
Among the vine varieties spread throughout Georgia, Khopaturi by its morphological-biological nature presents a completely independent type. Scientist assume that its origins lie in Kolkheti (Adjara), and over time, it has adapted to the local environment and developed independently.
Before the spread of fungal diseases and phylloxera, Khopatura was well cultivated on high land in the central and upper parts of the Adjara micro-district. Despite the fact that the local population could not take care of the vine, it managed to grow independently and also provide a heavily loaded harvest. The local population used it mainly for wine purposes and sold it in Batumi market. Additionally, the grape juice and Bekmez was saved for winter.
The spread of Khopatura in the modern area is reduced as a result of fungal diseases. Because of the small distribution of the variety, it is not a famous vine in Adjara, which makes it difficult to expend it in Adjara. But it is cultivated on high lands in Adjara- in the villages of Sikhalize, Mezebna, Shuakhevi and also around Kedi district. Only in good weather conditions can the vine provide a good and high quality harvest. The rootstocks of the vine are also found in lowland areas on the Kedi collective plot and in the Shuakhevi vineyard (Adjara).
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Botanical description
Khopaturi was described in Sikhalize village, Kedi district. Vines there are formed on their own rootstock. For comparison it was also described on Kedi vine collective plot where the vines are cultivated on low land and formed by Georgian rule.
The young sprout
During the break of buds, the young shoot is whitish with a grey hue. The cone of growth is red and thickly covered with hairy down.
The first, newly emerged leaf is thickly covered with light pink, reddish and thickly grey-white hairy down. The leaf after the first, on the top side, is green and on both top and undersides is covered with thick hairy down. The third leaf has a light green, pinkish hue on the upper side and, on the lower part, is surrounded with thick hairy down. The following leaves have progressively less down.
The young sprout
is round, light colored and, on the margin of a slight reddish hue attached. It is covered with grey hairy down.
The one year shoot
The developed sprout has an average width, is brown and with axils lightly covered by grayish hair-like down. The length between axils is 13 - 17cm.
The leaf
Fully developed leaves are of average size or smaller. Their shape is thick and slightly oval, and they are quite sectioned. Their average length is 15.8cm, while the width equals 16cm. The incision has three veins. On occasion, one toothed incisions can be found.
The incision is closed and similar to an egg. Tops intersect with each other, while the bases are round or flat. Lyre-like petiole can also be found consisting of three or four veins and a round basis. In exceptional cases, there are also petioles which have one or two simple teeth.
The upper side of the leaf is cut. There are three incisions. The tip of the incision next to the leaf plate creates a corner with the blade. The teeth of the incision tip are triangular, convex and sharp. It is also possible to meet saw-like triangular teeth. The leaf plate is smooth. Main veins are covered with hairy down and are a light green color.
The length of stamens’ thread in relation to the height of the pistil is 0.8 and rarely 1.1. It is bare and a green-violet color.
The flower
The flower is hermaphroditic, and has well developed stamens and pistil. There are often five, or rarely six stamens. The length of stamens’ thread in relation to the height of the pistil is 1.0 and rarely 1.12. In an inflorescence there are 300 flowers.
The bunch
The petiole of a bunch is 3-5cm long. The bunches of Khopaturi are mostly of a medium size, from 13 to 18 cm long and from 8 to 9 cm wide, while, rarely, cone shaped bunches can be found. The bunch is cylindrical-cone shaped. The pedicel of a bunch is grass-like and light green.
The grain
The berry is light green and on the sun side a yellowish color. The berries are of a medium or larger size. The length ranges from 12.8 to 16.8 mm and width from 11.2 to 14.5 mm wide. Grains are oval, having a wider middle and a round end. The skin of berries is thick, but despite this, it is easily edible.
The fruit is fleshy and juicy; the taste of the juice is pleasantly sweet.
The seed
In one berry there are about one to four seeds, most typically two, rarely 4. Occasionally, small seedless berries can be found. The length of a seed is 6 - 7.5mm, while the width is 3.5 - 4mm. They are bright brown-colored, and, to the center, yellowish. The kalaza is located on the back of the middle. Its basis is oval and quite depicted, placed in the middle part of its rear, which is smooth. The size of its brownish-black spotted tip is 2mm.
Agro-biological description
The vegetation period
In Kedi district, the duration of the total vegetation period from the time of bud’s opening to the time of the ending of leaf-fall, can be 227 - 233 days. The vegetation phases are shown below in Table 12.
The vine starts flowering from 3 - 7 June and, in good weather conditions, ends on 17 - 18 June. The ripening starts in the third part of August and mass ripening from the 15 - 20 October. Leaf-fall starts from the second part of October and ends before the first of December. In case of unsuitable weather conditions in high land areas, the fall of leaves start earlier, which is caused by fungal diseases and mildew.
Khopaturi vine’s shoots manage to ripen before the typical period if the weather is good. But sometimes for prolonging the process of vegetation, the tip does not fully ripen and is massively impacted by winter frosts.
The growth of the vine
Khopaturi is considered as a member of the strong growth vine group. With support in ecological conditions it can grow up to 2.5 - 3m in length. Proof of this can be found in the samples cultivated in Kedi village and on Shuakhevi village collective plot. Their growth, productivity and quality is satisfactory and a good quality table wine is provided.
The productivity
Khopaturi harvest on high lands is changeable. In normal weather it provides above average harvest- 30kg per root. 1 - 2 bunches are developed per bunch- most often one bunch. The sprouts developed from old roots are unproductive and not capable of harvest.
The harvest of Khopaturi on low land is regulated and satisfactory (see Table 2).
The rate of harvest on high land is not yet possible. The weight per bunch does not exceed 135g, when on low land it reaches 148 - 150g. The weight of bunches also varies.
Vine characterised with massive leaf-fall, which is the reason of bunch thinness. The number of berries per bunch is 5%. Small berries ripen earlier, but without seeds. On Kedi collective plot, the harvest- by Georgian pruning rule 10 - 12 buds -per root ranges from 2 to 2.5kg. As the vine is able to grow-develop well, it is reasonable to believe that Khopaturi can be successfully formed following bilateral wallpaper and cordon rules, whereby it can provide 32 - 26 buds on each side. Stake-wire regulation can also be use in which case the vine will produce 36 - 40 buds, and the length of the vine will reach 1 - 1.2m.
Durability against pests and fungal diseases
Khopaturi is very sensitive to fungal diseases; and is especially vulnerable to downy mildew and phylloxera. That is why, in past times, Khopaturi- which was widely spread throughout the whole Adjara,- can no longer be found except in the villages of Kedi. That is why, in order to increase the harvest, actions must be taken, such as the cultivating of Khopaturi on its root on southern sun-lit slopes. Also, if modern technology is used properly and in a timely manner, the product of Khopaturi will be exceptional and will be considered as the number one among other white vine varieties of Adjara.
Response of species to different environmental conditions
Observation has shown that the Khopaturi of Adjaratskhali valley provides an abundant harvest in good weather (Shuakhevi village). Khopatura is sensitive to powdery mildew and is easily harmed by it, which makes it a non-transportable vine.
For better quality of production it is advisable to plant it on a south-facing sun-lit slope. Such places can be found in Adjaratskali valley (from Adjaratskali to Shuakhevi).
Like other local vine varieties, Khopatura is characterized by good endurance to winter frosts. The temperature does not exceed -8 to -10° which is why the vine flowering and vegetation process continues normally.
Agro-technical characteristics
For agricultural purposes, Khopaturi belongs to the table grape variety. It provides the quality of table grape, the exterior beauty of bunches and berries, transportability, storage ability and high taste features. Its production can be also be used for the improvement of other table wines.
Grape samples for the mechanical-chemical analysis were taken from the vineyards of Sikhalize zone (Kedi district) and Kedi collective plot (see Table 3).
The average weight of a bunch is 135 - 148g. Per bunch there are 54 - 60 normal and 3 - 5 thin berries. The consistency of the bunch is as follows: berry 96%; shoot 3.3.%; skin 19.8%; seed 3.4%; and juice 74%.
The average weight of 100 berries was 230 - 234g, while the number of seeds in every 100 berries was 218, having the average weight of 6.5g. 12% of berries have one seed; 51% have two seeds; 28% have three seeds; and 7% of berries have four seeds, with seedless berries at 2%.
During good weather in autumn, the sugar level in Khopaturi dramatically increases (22 - 23%) and full acidity decreases. Such production can be received from vineyards on the right side of the Merisi valley and sun-lit Zvare Zone (the right side of Adkaratskali valley). It provides quality table grape, transportability, storage ability and high taste features.
General evaluation and distribution by district
The next step in the development of viticulture must be the production of table grapes and wine-making process in Adjara. Great attention must be paid to local vines and Khopaturi vine mass cultivation and development. The warmth, sediment and adaptation of the vine demonstrate the productivity and quality of the vine. The strong growth, abundant harvest, beautiful shape of bunch and grain, must be taken into consideration and it should also be used as local use table wine.
The weakness of Khopaturi can be considered as its sensitivity to fungal diseases; being especially vulnerable to downy mildew. To protect the vine from fungal diseases it is necessary to conduct proper activities by administering Bordeaux mixture 1-2 times before the flowering. This will make the vine more storable and transportable. If the tip of bud is cut at the beginning of flowering, Khopaturi will provide good wine production, the leaf fall will be reduced and the grape production will increase.
Restoration of Khipaturi in Adjara and its future spread should be done by mixing it with other vine varieties that have a relatively high resistance to phylloxera.
Bibliography
1. Ketskhoveli N., Zone of Cultural Plants in Georgia. Tbilisi, 1957.
2. Mirotadze A., Types of Racha-Lechkhumi. Tbilisi, 1939.
3. Ramishvili M., Vine Types of Guria, Samegrelo and Adjara. Tbilisi, 1948.
4. Cholokhashvili S., Viticulture, Vol. II, Ampelography. Tbilisi, 1938.
5. Sharden J., Trip to Georgia Tbilisi, 1935.
6. Javakhishvili Iv., Economic History of Georgia, Vol. II. Tbilisi, 1934.
