Magarach

Magarach, wine research institute at Yalta in the crimea, founded in 1828, more than 50 years before davis or the Institute of Oenology at the University of bordeaux. Although its activities have been unusually wide ranging (including some innovative by-product recycling such as alcohol-free bioactive additives from Cabernet Sauvignon), the Institute Magarach has been particularly distinguished in developing hybrid varieties and special vinification techniques.

The extent of its three experimental vineyards has been reduced from nearly 2,000 ha/5,000 acres to around 600 ha/1,482 acres and they include a collection of vines with more than 3,500 varieties from 41 countries. Some of the most successful of 30 vine varieties designed to combine quantity with quality are Magarach Ruby or Roubinovyi Magaracha (cabernet sauvignon × saperavi), Magarach Bastardo or Bastardo Magarachski (bastardo × Saperavi), and Magarach Early or Ranni Magaracha. A newer generation of disease-resistant varieties has since been developed with specific resistances to various pests and diseases. Since 1893 the institute has collected 1,080 genera of microorganisms for winemaking.