The Vineyard Food Cooking International Guide
The Vineyard To Harvest Your Grapes
By Barry J Smallhorn
The vineyard is a very important place to grow grapes for different
wines and other grape uses. Anyone who is interested in grapes
or wine should know a little bit about where they grow.
Vineyards have had a long and varied history, dating back from
early Greek societies. If you are really serious about learning
about vineyards, then it is also good to know a little about what
can harm one. Knowing how to avoid these issues is also important.
The vineyard was first introduced to Europe about 600 B.C. by
the Phocaeans. Places such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal
were the most receptive to the vineyards and grapes. These places
are now known as the wine country. It wasn't until phylloxera
resistant varieties of grapes were introduced that the vineyards
could flourish in the U.K. and U.S.
The Terroir Of The Vineyard
Each area where the vineyards grow is defined by its terroir.
Terroir is a French word that basically means what the area looks
like. Factors such as slope of the fields, rocks, how much sunlight
hits the vines, temperature and other factors are all part of
a vineyard's terroir. These differing factors can determine whether
a vineyard produces delicious or nasty grapes.
In general, grapes need lots of sun, not too much moisture and
a heavy hand with the pruning shears. This produces good grapes
with lots of fruit. Grapes have become such a huge industry that
there are vineyards all over the world. Even countries that have
never grown grapes in the past are now getting into the industry.
The Phylloxera Insect
There are certain pests and plant diseases that can affect the
vineyard. One of the most well-known and devastating pests was
the phylloxera insect. This bug ate the roots of the grape plants
and destroyed the plants from below. This bug nearly wiped out
the entire vineyard population of Europe.
Then it was carried over here somehow, some people think through
transportation of vines to and from Europe and North America.
Nowadays, nearly every vineyard has to have phylloxera resistant
vines or they will not survive. North America was the saving factor
for the wine industry, as it was the only place that had the phylloxera
resistant strains of grapes.
Plenty Of Diseases And Bugs Attack The Vines In A Vineyard
Some other plagues to the vineyards are: little-leaf, rabbits,
nematodes, gophers, the grape-berry moth, which makes the grapes
change color too quickly, climbing cutworms, black rot, crown
rot and mildew.
As you can see, tending vineyards is not easy with all these
problems that must be faced. Of course, on top of that, review
your options with the amount of pruning and tending must be done
to the vines themselves, to ensure they produce good grapes and
less leaves.
So now you know a little more about the vineyard and how it is
run. You know the history of the grape and what problems a vineyard
owner faces. That could explain a little about why good wine is
so expensive. Good wines and grapes are rather hard to grow and
there is a long process involved. But in the end, all that hard
work is worth it.
About the Author:
Barry J Smallhorn has written a number of articles on wines, cocktails, beer, cooking, food and recipes including
Cocktail Recipes,
Seafood Recipes,
Jerky Beef Meat Recipe,
Make Jerky,
Food Recipes,
Tuna Fish,
Caviar,
Potato Recipes,
Organic Gift Baskets.
Keep a lookout for more articles on this website.
Did You Know This About Wines?
Different wines appraise at different values so it is important
to know your wines before you begin making big purchases for your
wine cellar. There are other way to have great wines at incredible
prices.
You can make your own wines from your own grapes that you grow
in your garden or vineyard. It is not hard once you have the right
tools and the right information. At your next gathering you can
supply the wines and everyone will be impressed that you did it
all yourself rather than buying them.
There are even books that teach you how to grow your own grapes!
Think of how impressed your friends will be when you present them
with a present of wines from your own garden.
From the grapevine to the table you can learn how wines are valued,
made and even how the grapes are grown. Before long you will be
a connoisseur of wines and will be able to wow your friends with
your knowledge. All it takes is the right information and you
will be on your way.
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