Grapes come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes..... Well they come in different sizes at least (if you find a square grape, let me know!) But the biggest difference between grapes is the flavor. Some grapes are perfect for wine.... Others, are perfect for eating. Still others are used in the production of other things like dyes, etc.
So how do you select the variety that is right for you? With hundreds of choices available it is very easy to get McDonalds syndrome, where you have a whole menu full of choices but you can't make up your mind! Having choices is great, having too many choices is not so great.
Lets take a look at some factors which may help you narrow the list of grape varieties.
Desired End Result
The end result is a huge deal in picking the right type of grapevine. If you're intending on making wine or table grapes you'll find that this narrows the list dramatically.
Grapes are separated into three main categories. You have Red Wine Grapes, White Wine Grapes, and Table Grapes (What you buy at the store to eat).
If you already know what you intend to produce then this will be an easy choice, if not then we should probably consider some factors that go into the different categories. Red and White Wine grapes are relatively similar choices. You're going to be making wine. If you're just getting started, or if you're planning to make some money from your grapes, then wine producing grapes are probably the best choice starting out. Table grapes are much more difficult to turn a profit as you need to produce a TON of grapes in order to be competitive.
If you're just growing grapes for the joy of a hobby, then anything is probably a good choice, but you will need to make some decisions based on the following criteria.
Location
Location plays a massive role in the selection process of grapes. Grapes are a very sensitive plant, but some deal better than others in more harsh environments. You'll need to weigh some environmental factors into choosing your variety of grapevine.
Firstly, you need to look into temperature. Some grapes do well in colder temperatures than others, and the same goes for warmer temperatures. Also, certain grape diseases fair better in temperatures that average around 80 degrees.
Disease is also a factor. Some grapes are more weak to diseases that are local to your area. Sometimes grape diseases can be highly localized so speak to the local grape growing association to find out what diseases are in your area and then pick a variety that has a natural resistance to those diseases.
The most important factor of all, however, is moisture level in the soil and in the air. Some areas are far more moist (which most grapes love). However, if you're in a dryer locale, then it might be prudent to pick a type of grape that is more resilient to less moisture in the soil.
Skill Level
Finally, skill level plays a part in picking the right grape to grow. The most basic distinction is that you can combine grape plants through grafting. If you're a beginner, this is probably off the menu (as you may have guessed!). However, even among single species of grapes there are some which have a reputation of being easier to grow. If you're just getting started, don't make things hard on yourself and pick a plant that is easy to grow.
You will want to be able to revel in your victory of growing some grapes rather than succumbing to vines which refuse to cooperate.
The last bit of advice I can give you is to speak to your local association. There is almost a state or local association (depending on where you live) which can give you valuable advice about what grapes work best in your area. Speaking with the association will give you valuable advice about getting started with your grape growing experiences.
Michael Owens writes about grapes and the art of Growing Grapes. Read more of Michael's on topics like Grape Varieties, and Grape Trellising.
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