Variety Solaris

Solaris (breeding number FR 240-75) is a German technical variety from the State Institute of Viticulture in Freiburg (Merzling × GM 6493). It ripens early: according to the source, in 105–115 days to technical ripeness, and harvest in the south begins in the middle of August. The cluster is conical, loose or of medium density, 300–400 g. The berries are round, 4–6 g, white, golden-yellow in the sun; the skin is thin, the pulp juicy, the taste sweet and harmonious, with pineapple notes. Sugar content in September is about 22%, in October it may reach 30%, acidity about 8 g/l. The berries contain a small seed. The variety is technical (for white dry and sweet wines), but it is also eaten fresh and made into juice.

The bush is vigorous and densely leafed, so leaf thinning and good ventilation are needed; the variety dislikes crowded formations. The flower is hermaphroditic, and no pollinator is needed. Resistance to downy and powdery mildew is high, and gray mold hardly affects it with good ventilation. Frost resistance is −24…−27 °C by different sources, and mature bushes usually overwinter without cover. The berries attract wasps and birds and tolerate long transport poorly; the variety is sensitive to a lack of magnesium in the soil.