| People have been planting grapes for wine for | | | | So first off find out what wine grape types will |
| centuries, but today viticulture (which is the | | | | grow in your region. You will have much greater |
| cultivation of grape vines) has become quite a | | | | success growing grapes for wine making if you |
| science. In fact it is an enviable science which any | | | | choose and then plant a variety that is suited to |
| wine lover will admit. But this is no reason for you | | | | your area - both in terms of climate and soil |
| to be put off grape planting. After all you don't | | | | conditions. |
| need a scientific degree to plant grapes. You just | | | | Choose the right grapes to plant |
| won't be able to do it on the same scale as wine | | | | There are a few very basic things that you need |
| farmers do, and you will need to make sure that | | | | to consider. First off are you going to make red |
| you have the right conditions for the grapes that | | | | wine or white wine? If you are tending towards |
| you are going to grow. Don't doubt yourself, you | | | | red then you need to grow red - or rather |
| CAN succeed. | | | | purple-colored - grapes that have been developed |
| If you do some homework and research about | | | | for wine making. Otherwise you need green |
| how to grow grapes, including the type of soil you | | | | grapes that will enable you to make white (or |
| need, how to plant the grapes, and what to do | | | | more accurately yellowish) wine. |
| after you have planted them, then you can | | | | Preferably buy your grape plants from a nursery |
| succeed at planting grapes under most | | | | that specializes in grape stocks and unless there is |
| circumstances. | | | | one in your area, order about six months before |
| The basic elements required to be able to grow | | | | you plan to plant. Generally the best stock comes |
| grapes successfully | | | | from plants that are a year old because they |
| Anyone who knows anything about growing | | | | usually have a well-developed root system but |
| grapes will tell you that really good wine is made | | | | haven't started shooting. |
| from really good grapes - and that really good | | | | Once you get them into the ground, the trick will |
| grapes come from good soil and the right climatic | | | | be to prune them and train them for the first |
| conditions. | | | | two or three before you start harvesting them. |