 | Andrew Pennington is the head Wine Maker at Keltoi Winery (5 miles east of MO-KAN) in Oronogo MO. Andrew has a degree in biology and an emphasis in botany. For more information please call 417-642-6190 or visit http://www.keltoivineyard.com. |
Wine & Spirits
2012-01-30 11:20:51
What to consider when planting grapes
Q: I am considering planting my own mini-vineyard. What should I consider?
A: There are three big questions one needs to ask themselves before planting grapes. For instance, what is the purpose for growing grapes? Second, when is your planting season? Lastly, where are you planting them?
When answering the first question, you need to know whether you will be using them for table grapes, jam or do you wish to make wine. The best grape for jams and table grapes is the old standard concord (Vitis labrusca). This particular grape makes a nice purple grape with soft sweet skins. Now if the desire is to make wine, one will need to choose what type of wine to make: white or red. On to the next question, when is the planting season (for your area). When it starts is one of the biggest concerns one needs to make before picking a type of grape. If you live in a warmer dryer region, one would want to plant cabernet sauvignon or Riesling (vitis vinifera). However, if you live in the Midwest you need to plant a French American Hybrid such as a Cayugua white grape or Marshal Foch a red grape. The final question to ask yourself before planting grapes is where you are going to be planting your vines. The best location follows the couture of the land with well drained soil and has full sun all day. Even though grape vines take many years to bear fruit and takes long hours to train, the rewards are well worth the wait.
