Cultivating grapes and using them to make wine is an art that has been present since the evolution of civilization. This is a process that takes place in countries all over the world. We get a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment when we grow grapes and use them to make wine.

There are two basic varieties of grapes that can be used to start growing your own grapevine. The first kind is the European grape variety and the second kind of grapes is known as the hybrid. In places like California, growing of grapes is more like a tradition. You are most likely to find grapes of the European kind over here. The hybrid variety of grapes is grown in places where the season of growth is much shorter. Grapes belonging to the hybrid variety stay hard throughout the winter and have a greater capacity to fight against diseases.

One important point that needs to be remembered about grapes is that these perennial plants. They take about three years to grow completely. Hence you will get to see your first bunch of grapes only three years after planting the grapevine. The quality of the wine that is made out of the grapes is dependent on the grapevine from which it grows. The quality of the wine is not dependent on the wine manufacturer. Grapevines need to grow in conditions that are totally suitable to them. They need to be cultivated in soil that is not very rich in nutrients and they also require complete exposure to sunlight. If the grapevines are planted in soil that is dry and does not contains much nutrients, it will make the grapevine stress out. When the grapevine gets stressed out, it will start producing small grapes. These small grapes are very useful to the winemaker. The color and flavor that is necessary is wine is contained in these small grapes. The larger grapes are very tasty to eat and do not contain a lot of juice.

When the time comes for the grapes to be harvested, the grapes that are fully ripe and completely free of diseases should be plucked first. Grapes that belong to the hybrid variety are very high in their acidity content. Certain chemicals will have to be bought from the local store that makes wine. These chemicals will help to reduce the acidity that is contained in this hybrid variety of grapes to the required extent before the yeast is mixed with them. The yeast is added to the grapes when they are ready for fermentation. Many varieties of yeast are available which can be added to the wine. The yeast helps to give a subtle flavor or a specific character to the grapes. It takes around a week for the grapes to get fermented. Then the grapes are left to age. The process of ageing could extend from a period of a few months to a few years to be completed. Then the wine becomes as clear as a crystal. Then the wine is stored in bottles and left once again for a few months to age. If the wine is left to age for a longer time period, its quality improves with time. The local wine store will also have the required stock of corks and wine bottles.

Making wine is a tradition that has been handed down the ages. The end result of all this is worth the time and effort that is involved in the process. Friends and family who will be present to share the moment when you open the cork off your first bottle of wine will be in for a big surprise.

Fredrick Mboma is an expert on viticulture (the art of growing grapes). For more great tips on how to grow grapes and make wine visit http://www.winemakinginstructions.info

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