Grape Vines

[auntieemu]

I would like to plant a grape vine or two, or three or more - but know zip - any advice or suggestions?

I want a table grape, but DH wants to try his hand a wine and I think he has visions of me making jelly. So are we talking several different kinds or is there one that would be a good 'all purpose' grape?

[bergere]

Here you go Auntie. Though very few are dual purpose.

I just bought us 2,, a red and a blue table grape.


Canadice
This superb, red dessert grape is very sweet, seedless and delicious, with a hint of spice. Canadice fruit is juicy, crisp, and firm and makes great juice, jelly and wine. Attractive, very hardy, and productive, Canadice ripens early and holds well on the vine.


Glenora
A striking sight in mid to late September, Glenora produces huge clusters of large, intensely dark blue grapes. You will love these sweet, seedless grapes with their unique and deliciously spicy flavor. A very easy to grow and disease-resistant variety, Glenora is an excellent variety for the home gardener.

Heavenly Blue
Large, deep blue and delicious, this outstanding seedless variety was rescued from obscurity by horticulturist, and grape grower, Bill Schulz. This is an excellent table grape with rich and full-bodied flavor. A vigorous, easy to grow vine, it produces large clusters of fruit ripening in mid to late September.

Sweet Lace
Plant this rare and unique variety and enjoy its spring display of bright, bronze-red shoot tips followed by its unusual and beautiful, finely cut foliage. A French variety grown for both a table grape and for wine production, you can enjoy this beautiful vine all summer and, in the fall, treat yourself to a harvest of sweet white grapes with small seeds. Sweet Lace is hardy to about 5°F. USDA Zone 7.

Himrod
This fine, high quality, golden yellow grape is sweet, juicy, and very flavorful. Himrod produces attractive, large, loose clusters of delicious grapes which ripen in early to mid-September and are wonderful for fresh eating, juice, and for making raisins

[auntieemu]

Any idea what 'hint of spice' means?

[bergere]

Its hard to describe. Not that, that helps.

Like a Flavorful twang, I guess.

We bought some organic red grapes,, that had that description in the store. Boy were they good.
Flavor was rich, spicy but not over poweringly so.
Really refreshing.

Some grapes don't really have good flavor or are nothing more than little bags of water with flavor to match. Blaa....

If you can find a local grower or a Store that sells Certified organic produce. They normally sell the kind of grapes you would be looking for with descriptions. Do a taste test.

[dlangland]

I did Candice, Himrod, and something else I can't remember without looking back in my records at my last farm, but for just plain old jelly, wine, or juice...The very old fashioned seedy Concord I inherited at one one of my places worked very well with a bit more effort because of the seeds. Couldn't beat it. Very prolific to say the least. Couldn't kill it, in fact. On the sour side so it takes adequate sugar, though. I am going through the same decision right now myself at my newest place. Deb ;D

[Deleted]

I'm thinking wine. so I have order concord and 2 other varieties that are full of seeds. Seed varieites make the best wine.
tnborn

[auntieemu]

I was reading something the other day about Concord grape juice fighting tumor growths.

[dlangland]

auntieemu said:

I was reading something the other day about Concord grape juice fighting tumor growths.

Oh, yes, it's full of anti-oxidants. My favorite thing is making grapevine wreaths, though. Deb