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Grow Your Own Grapes And Make Your Own Wine , Even As A Total Novice

By: Harry Rouster


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The history of growing grapes and making wine is almost as old as humans themselves. It is a course of action that was seen all over the planet in all of the major civilizations. In today’s culture, growing grapes and making wine is just as gratifying and is well worth the endeavour.
Before you can enjoy that opening glass of wine, you will have to grow the grapes. There are two different grape variety groups to go for when you are initially beginning to plant your grapevine:
* The European grape
* The Hybrids grape varieties
Traditional grape growing in areas like California almost certainly use the European varieties. Those who stay in areas where there is a shorter growing season are restricted to the hybrid grape varieties. Hardiness in the course of winter and resistance to disease has been bred into the hybrid grapes.
Something else to think about when selecting the manner of grapes to grow is, do you want white or red wine? Grapes are perennial plants, and this is important to keep in mind as it means that you can only harvest your crop after about three years.
But, some good news is that the quality does not reflect on the wine maker but on the grapevines. You will have to offer your grapevines a good growing site, access to full sunlight and nutrient-poor soil. If grapes are grown in nutrient-poor soil that is dry, it will stress out the vine. Stressing out the vine will cause it to produce small grapes. Wine makers depend on small grapes because the skin of the grapes contains all of the color and flavor which is what you want for wine. Larger berries that are delicious to eat contains not as much skin and more juice.
When it is time to collect your grapes, you will need to set off with entirely ripe and disease free grapes. A large amount of hybrid grapes are high in acidity. Because of this, you will need to obtain chemicals from a local wine making store to bring the acidity down to the proper levels before you add the yeast. When you are ready to ferment the grapes you will have to put in yeast. There are different yeasts available for your wine. They will add delicate flavors or characteristics to the wine.
Wine fermentation takes approximately a week, after this it is ready to be aged. It can be several months to a few years for the ageing process to be finished. When the wine has gone crystal clear you can bottle it and then leave it to sit and age for a few months. The longer you are prepared to let your wine age the better it will be. You will be able to buy bottles and corks from your local wine store.
You will find that it is well worth the time and effort to keep this age old practice alive. The opening of that first bottle will be a very unique occasion and you will be the admiration of all your friends and family, they will be surprised by your new ability.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Harry Rouster is a wine lover and has enjoyed making wine on a recreational level with friends and family. You can find out about his grape methods & wine making at www.grapevine-wine.com

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