A Little Background on Wine Making Grapes
Wines are typically made from 100% grape juice. There are many varieties of wine making grapes and several components come into play that dictate the final wine produced.
The Grape
The type of grape from which the wine is made will greatly reflect in the finished product. The vine-ripened grapes contain natural sugars which are converted into alcohol.
If you are growing your own grapes for wine making, it is important to make sure that the grapes are not just ripe, but mature, before picking, and then to store them in cool, dry conditions.
The grape skins contain most of the flavor and all of the color. The larger the grape, the less skin proportionately, but the more juice there is. This is fine for a light wine, but smaller grapes with proportionately more skin, will produce a much richer color and a more concentrated flavor.
The varieties of grapes you choose for making your wine will depend on the kind of wine you want to make, or the type of grapes you can obtain if you don't grow your own.
There are a few “noble” grapes which are most popular. For red wine, the favorite red wine making grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Barbera.
The most popular of white wine grapes are Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. White wine grapes are younger and contain more acidity which delivers the tarter taste in most white wines.
The Climate
Where the grapes are grown will also have an impact on the resulting wines taste. These are the two main factors:
- Warm and sunny weather will produce a ripe, sweet flavorful grape.
- Cloudy and cool weather will give you a less ripened young, tart grape.
The Soil
A well drained soil is best in growing a strong grape vine. This forces the roots to dig deeper for moisture. The acidity in the soil will also shape the taste of the grape.
Vineyards are usually planted in a sloping area to provide drainage and insulation from the weather.
- In cooler climates, the vines are planted closer together and trained low to conserve the heat of the day.
- In warmer climates the opposite is true. The vines are planted further apart and trained high to give shade and disperse the heat. They are also spaced further apart to allow for better drainage.
If you have ever tried growing grapes, but didn't succeed, I am sure you will agree that it can be a frustrating experience; putting so many hours into looking after your grape vine and when it's time to enjoy the fruit of your labor - there's nothing!
The
Complete Grape Growing System
was developed from more than 15 years' experience in the grape industry and by spending countless hours and a lot of money on research.
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