How to grow grapes has been in our history dating back to almost the beginning of time. Every major country in the word has done some form of wine making, some better than others of course. If you learn the correct way of how to grow grapes and make wine then you will find it is well worth the time and effort it will take.
Before you had the idea to grow your own grapes, and to taste of the wine that it produced, you most likely never gave the whole process a thought. But now you have decided it is time. You want to be able to pick up a glass of your very own wine. The satisfaction that you will feel when you taste that first drop of wine that you made, is a driving force now. When you first learn how to grow grapes it is important to choose the right ones. There are two types of grapes that you can choose for your vineyard; the hardy hybrids and the European grape varieties.
Time-honored grape growing in areas like California most likely because of the growing season, use the European variety. Those people that live in an area with a short growing season would have to choose the hybrid grape to grow. Certain qualities are bred into the hybrid grape, such as; being able to grow in the cold and resistance to disease.
Grapes are perennial plants, which mean that it will take about three years before you can harvest from the grapevine. The most important part of the final product is in the grapevines themselves. This means that it is vital that you have a good growing site, with full access to sunlight and soil that is rich in nutrients. If you try to grow grapes in nutrient-poor soil, your vines will be stressed out dry and the grapes will lack fullness and be small.
An important factor to consider when you think of what type of grape to grow is whether you will want the result to be a white wine or a red wine.It is not quite as obvious as one would think. Most people believe, red grapes make red wine and green grapes make white wine. This is not always the truth of it; some red grapes can indeed make white wine. The skin of the grape is red and yet the inside is white and most wines are only made with the insides. So if you want a white wine do not use the skin. If you want a red wine then allow the fleshy inside to mix with the skin when it is being crushed. But this also means you cannot make a red wine from a green grape. White Zinfandel and most champagne are made with red grapes.
When you have waited, and the time for picking the grapes is finally at hand, remember that you can only pick and use grapes that are fully ripened and free of disease. If you have grown a hybrid grape then you should know that it is high in acidity and that you will need certain chemicals to bring the acidity level down to the right level before you can add the yeast. To ferment the grapes you add the yeast, there are many different kids so read up on them, as they will add certain flavor and characteristics to your wine. The process of fermentation takes about a week before it is ready to be aged. Aging can then take a few months to a few years depending. Once the wine is clear you can bottle it and again let it set for a few more months. It is a well known fact that the longer you allow your wine to age, the better it will be.
This process over time is well worth the effort. Once you learn how to grow grapes and get to the end with a bottle in your hand of your own signature wine, that is when your friends and family will sit and congratulate you for a job well done.
Before you had the idea to grow your own grapes, and to taste of the wine that it produced, you most likely never gave the whole process a thought. But now you have decided it is time. You want to be able to pick up a glass of your very own wine. The satisfaction that you will feel when you taste that first drop of wine that you made, is a driving force now. When you first learn how to grow grapes it is important to choose the right ones. There are two types of grapes that you can choose for your vineyard; the hardy hybrids and the European grape varieties.
Time-honored grape growing in areas like California most likely because of the growing season, use the European variety. Those people that live in an area with a short growing season would have to choose the hybrid grape to grow. Certain qualities are bred into the hybrid grape, such as; being able to grow in the cold and resistance to disease.
Grapes are perennial plants, which mean that it will take about three years before you can harvest from the grapevine. The most important part of the final product is in the grapevines themselves. This means that it is vital that you have a good growing site, with full access to sunlight and soil that is rich in nutrients. If you try to grow grapes in nutrient-poor soil, your vines will be stressed out dry and the grapes will lack fullness and be small.
An important factor to consider when you think of what type of grape to grow is whether you will want the result to be a white wine or a red wine.It is not quite as obvious as one would think. Most people believe, red grapes make red wine and green grapes make white wine. This is not always the truth of it; some red grapes can indeed make white wine. The skin of the grape is red and yet the inside is white and most wines are only made with the insides. So if you want a white wine do not use the skin. If you want a red wine then allow the fleshy inside to mix with the skin when it is being crushed. But this also means you cannot make a red wine from a green grape. White Zinfandel and most champagne are made with red grapes.
When you have waited, and the time for picking the grapes is finally at hand, remember that you can only pick and use grapes that are fully ripened and free of disease. If you have grown a hybrid grape then you should know that it is high in acidity and that you will need certain chemicals to bring the acidity level down to the right level before you can add the yeast. To ferment the grapes you add the yeast, there are many different kids so read up on them, as they will add certain flavor and characteristics to your wine. The process of fermentation takes about a week before it is ready to be aged. Aging can then take a few months to a few years depending. Once the wine is clear you can bottle it and again let it set for a few more months. It is a well known fact that the longer you allow your wine to age, the better it will be.
This process over time is well worth the effort. Once you learn how to grow grapes and get to the end with a bottle in your hand of your own signature wine, that is when your friends and family will sit and congratulate you for a job well done.
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