Growing Grapes and Vines

Grapes grow on vines. There are many different types of grapes, but the best wine grape is the European Vitis vinifera. It is considered optimal because it has the right balance of sugar and acid to create a good fermented wine without the addition of sugar or water. It has been said that the wine is only as good as the grape; a poor winemaker can ruin good grapes, but a good winemaker isn't going to make great wine from inferior grapes.

Terminology

There can be confusion between 'varieties' of grapes and 'varietals.' The word 'varietal' means 'of or pertaining to a variety.' Types of grapes are 'varieties.' Wines made from a single variety are varietal wines. So, for example, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine is a varietal. The cabernet sauvignon grape, zinfandel grape and merlot grape are varieties of grapes.

However, don't be confused that, for example, United States law allows a wine to be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon so long as it has at least 75% of that variety of grape.

Viticulture

Vines start producing grapes about three years after planting; a useable crop after five years. They reach their prime in terms of crop yield between ages ten and thirty. Vines can grow for a hundred years, although their production is reduced as they get older.

Reduced production can also caused in other ways, for example, poor soil, lack of irrigation, pruning the vines, climate, etc. This is known as 'stressing the vines', and is supposed to lead to a 'better' wine. So some very good wines come from 'old vines.'

Return to the Wine Guide Contents
A brief history of Wine | Growing Vines and Grapes | Harvesting | Making Red Wine | Making White Wine | Making Rosé Wine | Making Champagne | To Oak or not to Oak? | From Fermentation to Bottle