Growing grapes is one those wonderful activities that lets you feel connected to the earth and to civilization itself. Man has been growing grapes and drinking wine since the dawn of civilization. Today the grape growing industry is alive and well thriving like never before. But you don't have to run a vineyard to enjoy this wonderful art. It also makes a great hobby.
There are two primary varieties of grapes that are grown to produce wine. European varieties are the original grape types brought from France and other European countries to California. Today, they are used throughout California and flourish in the California climate, as well in their native lands in Europe. The other variety is the hybrid grape vine. Hybrids are bred to be hardy and do well in areas where the growing season is shorter. They are more resistant to disease and do well in places where harsh winter conditions would threaten the more delicate European varieties.
Grape growing is an expanding industry. There are more and more places across the world that are growing grapes and learning to produce fine wine so the hybrid varieties have been a welcome advance to many would-be vintners and hobbyists.
Maturing the Plants
Grape vines are perennial plants. It takes about three years for a plant to grow and mature to the point where it can produce enough grapes for the first wine harvest. While the right growing conditions are important, as is the skill of the vintner in producing the wine, it is the vine itself that will reflect the ultimate quality of the resulting wine. Interestingly, grapes that are plump, sweet and juicy and suitable for eating are not the best wine making grapes. Vintners of fine red and white wines prefer grapes that are small and have been grown in soil that is depleted of nutrients. Sunlight and water are important, but the grapes must be small to concentrate the flavor in the skin. This results in a grape that is unappetizing to eat but makes better wine. This means you will have to make a choice between growing grapes for eating or growing grapes for wine making. Perhaps your soil will make the determination for you.
The Fruits of Your Labor
Harvesting your crop is one of the great joys of grape growing. Only harvest grapes that are fresh, healthy and disease free, once they are fully ripe. Assuming you have grown your grapes for wine making, visit your wine making store and stock up on yeast. You might also need to research the chemicals available for reducing the acid content of the grapes. Hybrids in particular contain a lot of acid which can affect the quality of the wine. Different types of yeast will impart a different flavor to the wine. Selection of the yeast is one of the points on which a good vintner can distinguish himself.
It is the yeast that causes the grapes to ferment and change into wine. After about a week of fermentation the wine will be ready to age. A good wine should be aged anywhere from a few weeks (as with Beaujolais Nouveau) or several years. Most wines peak after a certain amount of time and won't do any better with further aging. So, you will have to hone your skills in wine tasting and choose the peak time for your wine! Really classic, expensive wines have probably aged for more than two years, but these come from special grapes grown under perfect conditions and by expert hands.
Perhaps the biggest reward for growing your own grapes comes with the pop of that first cork. Invite friends to your wine tasting and connect with a tradition that has united man throughout the centuries and across the continents in a common bond.
There are two primary varieties of grapes that are grown to produce wine. European varieties are the original grape types brought from France and other European countries to California. Today, they are used throughout California and flourish in the California climate, as well in their native lands in Europe. The other variety is the hybrid grape vine. Hybrids are bred to be hardy and do well in areas where the growing season is shorter. They are more resistant to disease and do well in places where harsh winter conditions would threaten the more delicate European varieties.
Grape growing is an expanding industry. There are more and more places across the world that are growing grapes and learning to produce fine wine so the hybrid varieties have been a welcome advance to many would-be vintners and hobbyists.
Maturing the Plants
Grape vines are perennial plants. It takes about three years for a plant to grow and mature to the point where it can produce enough grapes for the first wine harvest. While the right growing conditions are important, as is the skill of the vintner in producing the wine, it is the vine itself that will reflect the ultimate quality of the resulting wine. Interestingly, grapes that are plump, sweet and juicy and suitable for eating are not the best wine making grapes. Vintners of fine red and white wines prefer grapes that are small and have been grown in soil that is depleted of nutrients. Sunlight and water are important, but the grapes must be small to concentrate the flavor in the skin. This results in a grape that is unappetizing to eat but makes better wine. This means you will have to make a choice between growing grapes for eating or growing grapes for wine making. Perhaps your soil will make the determination for you.
The Fruits of Your Labor
Harvesting your crop is one of the great joys of grape growing. Only harvest grapes that are fresh, healthy and disease free, once they are fully ripe. Assuming you have grown your grapes for wine making, visit your wine making store and stock up on yeast. You might also need to research the chemicals available for reducing the acid content of the grapes. Hybrids in particular contain a lot of acid which can affect the quality of the wine. Different types of yeast will impart a different flavor to the wine. Selection of the yeast is one of the points on which a good vintner can distinguish himself.
It is the yeast that causes the grapes to ferment and change into wine. After about a week of fermentation the wine will be ready to age. A good wine should be aged anywhere from a few weeks (as with Beaujolais Nouveau) or several years. Most wines peak after a certain amount of time and won't do any better with further aging. So, you will have to hone your skills in wine tasting and choose the peak time for your wine! Really classic, expensive wines have probably aged for more than two years, but these come from special grapes grown under perfect conditions and by expert hands.
Perhaps the biggest reward for growing your own grapes comes with the pop of that first cork. Invite friends to your wine tasting and connect with a tradition that has united man throughout the centuries and across the continents in a common bond.
Source...