Pruning Grapes Vines
Do you know that you no longer have to be in sunny California in order to grow the perfect vineyard? You can actually raise grapevines almost anywhere these days, even in places where climates are considered extreme, because grapevines can actually adapt naturally. If you are planning to grow a vineyard, you should start with the grape variety that grows well in your area. Your location can affect the taste and texture of your grapes. Have you noticed how California-grown grape varieties taste a lot different than the same variety that comes from France?
The difference in taste is mainly due to the weather and soil conditions that each location has, and which can affect the “personality” of the grapes. If you are just a beginner in grape vineyards, find out from your local grape growers the most suitable variety of grapes for your location. There are now about 5,000 different grape varieties known, which include the hybrids. In areas where the grape growing season is shorter, grape planters are limited to using the hybrid grape varieties. That’s why pruning grapes vines are so important. Although most grape hybrids grow in cooler climates, not all would survive in every region of the world where the temperatures may be too extreme. In areas where there is too much frost, the growing season of grapes (meaning frost-free days), are shorter. Thus, those varieties that need longer days to grow will not survive in some very cold areas.
Grapes that are used for making wine all come from the same species called vitis vinifera. Although they all come from the same species, there are hundreds of different cultivars that grapes for wine making belong to. Vitis vinifera grapes have very tight skins, which makes them ideal for wine making. About 99 percent of the world’s wines are made from this specie of grapes. There are also white grapes and red grapes, both of which can be used for wine making. Red grape varieties produce wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. White grapes are used to produce Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sylvaner. The specie of Vitis vinifera originated from the Mediterranean region, which covers Spain, central Europe and southwestern Asia. Grapes that are raised and used for wine in the United States and Canada are of the Vitis labrusca kind.
These grapes have tight skins, and are usually seeded. They tend to be very sweet; about 24% of their weight is sugar. Although people think of grapes as being only good for wine, they can actually be used for other purposes. Grapes are eaten as fruits, and can also be used for desserts, for juices, jams and jelly. Before you embark on a grape growing project, find out the right variety of grapes that will grow well in your area.
