Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Kadarka is the black grape that, alongside Kékfrankos, is most closely tied to Hungarian red wine, although it most likely came from the Balkans. Serbs fleeing the Ottomans probably brought it north, and it was Hungary's most common variety in the 19th century. It is known as Gamza in Bulgaria and Skadarka in Serbia. Today it is grown mainly in Szekszárd and Kunság. Its wines are light in colour and body, with red berry fruit and a distinctive spiciness.
Characteristics
Black wine grape; late ripening (late September to early October); medium, cylindrical, fairly dense bunches; medium round, blue-black, thin-skinned, juicy berries; light-coloured wine with spicy, red-berry aromas; vigorous and productive; upright growth; tolerates drought; susceptible to winter frost and grey rot
Growing Tips
Kadarka is vigorous and productive, but it must be pruned short: long pruning crowds the foliage, traps humidity around the bunches and exhausts the vine. It tolerates drought well but is susceptible to winter frost and especially to grey rot. Thin the bunches if the crop is heavy, because overloaded vines give pale, thin fruit.