Choosing a grape varieties requires a person to understand the relationship between the grape variety, the soil, and the climate in which the grape grow. A variety chart will help a person to make these decision. The variety chart will show information about which grape varieties will grows well in specific environment.
Grape variety charts can help a person to choose the best grape variety for they specific patch of earth and their specific climate. Red grape varieties differs in their tannins and body. Cabernet Sauvignon have high levels of both tannins and body.
Choosing the Best Grape for Your Soil and Climate
The grape variety often grows in gravelly soils so that the root of the vine must grow deep into the ground. The grape variety is also often harvested later in the growing season due to the grape variety’s need for warm climates with cool night. Merlot is another red grape variety but contain fewer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon.
The grape variety is considered to be forgiving for those just beginning to cultivate grape vine. Pinot Noir has a growing necessity for cool slopes to grow the grapes correct. Pinot Noir grapes contain high levels of acidity and low levels of tannins.
Syrah is a full-bodied red grape variety with peppery note. In hot climates, the grape is also known as Shiraz. The grape variety contain high levels of tannins, requiring the wine to age in oak barrels to allow the tannins to mellify.
White grape varieties contains their own characteristic. Chardonnay grapes can contain the flavor of apple or vanilla depending on the process used to cultivate the wine. Chardonnay also contains a full body, making it good for pairing with cheese.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes has high levels of acidity and have a flavor of grapefruit. Riesling grapes have high levels of acidity. Because of the high acidity of the grape variety, Riesling grapes can age for many decade.
The terroir for the grape varieties include information about the soil and climate for that specific grape variety. The soil for the vines will affect the grape variety. Each soil type contain different drainage and nutrient information for the grape vines.
For example, limestone or clay soils allow grape flavors to remain concentrated, while gravel soils is used for Cabernet Sauvignon to allow drainage. The climate will affect the grape variety in term of the temperature for the grape varieties. Warm climates will allow grape varieties to contain more sugar but less acidity.
Cool climates will allow grape varieties to has high levels of acidity. The wrong grape variety for the climate will not grow well for the cultivator. For grape varieties to grow well, the vineyard farmer must complete specific maintenance tasks.
The farmer should prune the vines in the winter so that the vine can focus its energy on fewer grape. The grape vines canopy must be managed to allow the grapes to recieve the amount of sunlight and air need to allow the vines to grow correctly. Air circulation within the vines canopy will allow the grapes to stay free from mildew.
Finally, when the sugar and acidity level for the grape are balanced, the grapes should be harvested. The farmer should harvest the grapes in the early morning when they are at the peak of their quality.