The American Wine Society Presents Growing Wine Grapes

Rating:
Summary: Western States Beware.....
Review: If you have simply a curiosity on how to grow grapes, this book will suffice. It reads like a large brochure. However, important topics, such as choosing an appropriate vineyard site, are fully explained in only half a page. The illustrations are few and very poorly drawn, as well as some being so small one needs a magnifiying glass to read them. A few paragraphs are so poorly written (J. R. McGrew), they need to be re-read multiple times. Most importantly, this book is written strictly for the EASTERN UNITED STATES...

Rating:
Summary: Western States Beware.....
Review: If you have simply a curiosity on how to grow grapes, this book will suffice. It reads like a large brochure. However, important topics, such as choosing an appropriate vineyard site, are fully explained in only half a page. The illustrations are few and very poorly drawn, as well as some being so small one needs a magnifiying glass to read them. A few paragraphs are so poorly written (J. R. McGrew), they need to be re-read multiple times. Most importantly, this book is written strictly for the EASTERN UNITED STATES...

Rating:
Summary: Wine and Cuisine
Review: This is the definitive book for growing, fertilization and vineyard care for American Vines. Any questions you have this little book will answer them. J Loenholdt talks in a language that all can understand........

Rating:
Summary: If you're gonna plant a few grapes, read this book!
Review: You could probably learn a lot from this little book even if you weren't going to plant a few vines, but if you're even thinking of growing grapes, this is a great little primer. It isn't going to make you a viticulturist, but it will prepare you for what you're about to get into. In the process, it will probably help you avoid more than a few mistakes.

The American Wine Society does select good authors. Each chapter is tightly written, adequately illustrated, and easily read and absorbed. Most are simply practical, as they should be. A couple border on being scholarly, which is a plus. Dr. John R. McGrew wrote six of the ten chapters. He's no T. V. Munson, but he is a professional grape breeder and a darn good winemaker, too. You can take his word to the bank.

If you think you might like to plant a few vines out back, buy this book. Read it cover-to-cover and then read Jeff Cox's From Vines to Wines. Long before the planting, you'll be dreaming of future ! harvests and vintage wines.