Dry wine grape varieties are unique to Belarus
A new Belarusian grape variety named "Larets" has been making waves in the local winemaking industry, with its potential for producing high-quality dry wines. This promising development comes as a result of the efforts of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Institute of Fruit-Growing, which have been focusing on creating autochthonous varieties that can withstand the cold climates of the region.
The "Larets" variety, currently undergoing state variety trials, has shown exceptional resilience, yielding 2-3 kg per bush even in the challenging weather conditions of 2025. Its berries and must offer a balance of acidity and flavour profile that is ideal for dry wine styles.
In an interview on the "First Information" TV channel, Alexander Tarannov, the director of the Institute of Fruit-Growing, discussed the new variety. Tarannov highlighted the institute's extensive collection of grape varieties, which comprises 530 varieties, including both technical and table varieties, making it one of the largest in Eastern Europe.
Preliminary tastings have confirmed that the "Larets" variety is suitable for making dry wine. The variety is also noted for its resistance to diseases, a crucial factor in the Belarusian climate.
The development of "Larets" aligns with strategic goals to expand local dry wine production and reduce dependency on imported grapes or wines, enhancing Belarus’s presence in the dry wine segment. As further detailed studies provide more concrete data on its wine style and quality profiles, "Larets" holds promising potential for dry wine production in Belarus, supporting the growth of domestic winemaking focused on dry wines.
This new Belarusian grape variety, "Larets", is not only promising for the local winemaking industry but also for the food-and-drink lifestyle, as it shows exceptional resilience and is suitable for making high-quality dry wines. The Institute of Fruit-Growing's extensive collection, comprising 530 varieties, includes "Larets", which, with its disease resistance, is a significant step towards self-sufficiency in dry wine production for Belarus, thereby enhancing its presence in the lifestyle sector, home-and-garden included.
