This book aims to provide for the first time in the English language a concise but comprehensive overview of the biology and cultivation of the grapevine, accessible to all concerned with viticulture. After a description of the essential features of viticulture, including a concise history from antiquity to modern times, the authors consider the taxonomy of the grapevine and the evolutionary processes that gave rise to the diversity within the Vitaceae. Particular attention is paid to the genera Vitis and Muscadinia, which are considered a reserve of genetic variation for the improvement of grapevines. A description of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of the grapevine precedes a full discussion of the developmental and environmental physiology of these fascinating and economically important plants. The concluding chapter considers the potential for genetic improvement of grapevines and includes coverage of the problems encountered, and the methods and strategies employed, in breeding for scions and rootstocks. Special reference to the role of plant biotechnology and tissue culture in the genetic improvement of grapevines is also made.

Jurassic, basalt, moraine, flint, alluvial, magma: what are these words and what do they have to do with wine? The answers are here in this book. They are geological terms that reflect a bond between wine and the land. Understanding geology, however, is tricky. Geological concepts are obscure; processes can be imperceptibly slow, invisible, and unimaginably ancient. The terminology is formidable, such that even the names of common rocks carry an air of mystery. Geology is introduced plainly, starting with basic principles, all in the context of wine. The emphasis is on the kinds of processes that shape vineyards, and on the minerals, rocks and soils that host the vines. Geological words now commonly seen in wine writings are systematically explained. You will learn the stories behind some of the names, the human face of geology. The book also explores how the geology-wine connection manifests in the finished product and evaluates its importance, particularly in the contexts of minerality, terroir, and wine taste. The fact is that geology is increasingly being promoted in the world of wine; the aim here is to help it be properly understood.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRAPE-GROWING IN 168 PAGES. "Viticulture" is an introduction to the professional world of growing grapes for wine production and is aimed at the serious student in the wine trade, WSET Diploma student or Master of Wine candidate. It is also aimed at anybody considering owning or planting a vineyard who wants a basic primer to the subject. It is written in an easy-to-read style, arranged in fourteen relatively short chapters and illustrated with over 100 photographs and charts. It covers every aspect of viticulture, starting with a chapter on vine physiology, continuing via varieties and rootstocks, vineyard establishment, and the annual cycle in the vineyard and ending with pests, diseases and vine nutrition. The book is all you need to know about grapegrowing in 168 pages and since it was first published in 2007 has sold over 10,000 copies all around the world. The 2nd Edition, published in late 2019, has been updated to take account of modern developments in vine growing.

An indispensable book for every wine lover, from some of the world's greatest experts. Where do wine grapes come from and how are they related to each other? What is the historical background of each grape variety? Where are they grown? What sort of wines do they make and, most importantly, what do they taste like? Using the most cutting-edge DNA analysis and detailing almost 1,400 distinct grape varieties, as well as myriad correct (and highlighting almost as many incorrect) synonyms, this particularly beautiful book includes revelatory grape family trees, and a rich variety of illustrations from Viala and Vermorel's seminal ampelography with century-old illustrations. Combining Jancis Robinson's world view, nose for good writing and good wines with Julia Harding's expertise and attention to detail plus Dr Vouillamoz's unique level of scholarship, Wine Grapes offers essential and original information in greater depth and breadth than has ever been available before. A book for wine students, wine experts and wine lovers everywhere. AWARDS Best Wine, Beer and Spirits Book and winner of the Jane Grigson award, IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Awards 2014 A wine book of the year, 2013, The Times, London Faiveley International Wine Book of the Year 2013, Roederer Awards Best Viticulture Book 2013, OIV Awards Best Drink Book 2012, Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards Best Beverage Book 2012, James Beard Awards Best Drink Book 2012, Andre Simon Awards Hall of Fame for Best Wine Book 2012, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Best Drinks Book 2012, Wine & Spirits magazine One of the V&A's '100 books essential for preserving humanity'

The first edition of Understanding Vineyard Soils, published in 2009, has been praised for its comprehensive coverage of soil topics relevant to viticulture, and is a major resource for professionals in the industry. However, the subject is not static-new developments are occurring in the field all the time. For example, the 'organic movement' in viticulture continues to grow in importance and the emphasis on wine quality relevant to quantity is changing in an increasingly competitive world market. The promotion of organic and biodynamic practices has raised a general awareness about 'soil health' and methods to assess it, which is often associated primarily with the biological status of the soil. Many commercial laboratories offer an extensive range of tests for soil (biological) health, the relevance of which is not clear to many growers. However, the development of new tools for characterizing soil microorganisms and identifying the specific functions of taxonomic groups is an exciting area of research that may offer answers to some of these questions in the future. This second edition of White's influential book presents the latest updates and developments in vineyard and soil management practices. Just like the first edition, Understanding Vineyard Soils introduces readers from all backgrounds to the principles of viticulture.

Information on the evolution, taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology and genetics of grapevines has been scarce and thinly spread in the literature on horticulture and the plant sciences. This book aims to provide a concise but comprehensive overview of the biology and cultivation of the grapevine, accessible to all concerned with viticulture. After a description of the essential features of viticulture, including a concise history from antiquity to modern times, the taxonomy of the grapevine and the evolutionary processes which gave rise to the diversity within the Vitaceae is considered. Particular attention is paid to the genera Vitis and Muscadinia, which are considered a reserve of genetic variation for the improvement of grapevines. A description of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of the grapevine precedes a full discussion of the developmental and environmental physiology of these fascinating and economically important plants. The concluding chapter considers the potential for genetic improvement of grapevines and includes coverage of the problems encountered, and the methods and strategies employed in breeding for scions and rootstocks.

Winner, TopShelf Magazine Book Awards Historical Non-fiction Finalist, Northern California Book Awards General Non-Fiction Look. Smell. Taste. Judge. Crush is the 200-year story of the heady dream that wines as good as the greatest of France could be made in California. A dream dashed four times in merciless succession until it was ultimately realized in a stunning blind tasting in Paris. In that tasting, in the year of America's bicentennial, California wines took their place as the leading wines of the world. For the first time, Briscoe tells the complete and dramatic story of the ascendancy of California wine in vivid detail. He also profiles the larger story of California itself by looking at it from an entirely innovative perspective, the state seen through its singular wine history. With dramatic flair and verve, Briscoe not only recounts the history of wine and winemaking in California, he encompasses a multidimensional approach that takes into account an array of social, political, cultural, legal, and winemaking sources. Elements of this history have plot lines that seem scripted by a Sophocles, or Shakespeare. It is a fusion of wine, personal histories, cultural, and socioeconomic aspects. Crush is the story of how wine from California finally gained its global due. Briscoe recounts wine's often fickle affair with California, now several centuries old, from the first harvest and vintage, through the four overwhelming catastrophes, to its amazing triumph in Paris.

Focusing on the New Worlds' oldest and most famed wine producing areas in California's greater Sonoma/Napa/North Bay region we will compile practices and examples of wine country's most exemplary sustainable operations. Being in a very well established and affluent part of the US, we feel that solutions forged here can help expand both the understanding of how best practices can be achieved, and the pitfalls to be avoided on the road to greater sustainability in many a wine region around the world. Example wineries and vineyards include Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista, Carneros, Benziger, and Kendell Jackson and we will focus on different growing methods and standards such as the Demeter Wine Processing Standard, dry growing, organic, bio-dynamic, and innovative production and bottling methods that minimize waste by recycling as much as possible. We have been learning a lot in California about conserving water during a prolonged drought and made strides in water conservation in agriculture and viticulture. Sonoma County is committed to becoming the nation's first 100% sustainable wine region through a three-phased program to be completed by 2020. Wineries are becoming more integrated into the community as hosts of community events, dances, farmers markets, and agritourism partnerships with surrounding stakeholders to help travelers minimize their use of fossil fuels while here. Ways that the wine sector is intersecting with tourism to benefit the environment will be highlighted. This book is the second I have been involved with regarding sustainability in the wine industry, the first being a collaboration between myself, Professor Robert Girling, and Heather Gordy called The Good Company: Sustainability in Hospitality, Tourism, and Wine. I have also very recently, been working on a project with the UN World Tourism Organization's International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories to establish one here in Sonoma. It is with gratitude that I can say we have been approved and have begun development in earnest of the UNWTO Sonoma County Sustainable Tourism Observatory. Each of the 12 Wineries featured in the book will be a factual case study while also describing the soul and the breadth of the endeavor. With examples ranging from the tiny bodega to the industry leading mega wineries we aim to be as inclusive as possible. Not intended as a tome, but a readable journey including extensive resources to assist in further research, brief articles by leading authorities on implementation of new cutting edge methodologies, and tried and true methods making a comeback from the ancient world to the present.

Wine Growing in Great Britain is an A to Z of growing grapes for wine production in the British Isles and other cool climate regions. For anyone contemplating planting and establishing a vineyard and for those already growing vines on a small scale who perhaps wish to expand their vineyards and improve their winegrowing skills, it will be an invaluable guide. It will also be of interest to students of viticulture and wine studies. The book covers not only the viticultural tasks involved in setting up, establishing and managing a vineyard, but also, uniquely, covers the financial aspects of cool climate wine growing: the costs of land, vineyard establishment and management, and the income from both grape and wine sales. The second edition, published in 2020, has been expanded and updated contains much unique data on yields and the performance of vineyards in Britain's different regions. Chapter 1 is a brief introduction to winegrowing in Great Britain, looking at the changes that have taken place over the last sixty years. Chapter 2 starts with the financial viability of a winegrowing enterprise, giving the likely costs of: buying suitable land, establishing a vineyard, managing that vineyard and the costs of making both still and sparkling wines. It then covers the possible income from the vineyard, covering the value of the grapes and the likely income from wine sales. Chapter 3 looks at the question of site selection, giving guidance on where the best places to plant a vineyard are and the reasons why site selection is the most important decision in the whole process. Chapter 4 covers the all-important aspect of varietal choice with full descriptions of thirty varieties - all those currently being grown in Great Britain in excess of 1.50-ha - together with a section on new vine varieties, clones of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Meunier for sparkling wine and rootstocks suitable for Great Britain. Chapters 5-10 cover pruning and trellising systems, the planning and preparation of the site, vineyard nutrition, planting techniques, trellising systems, and the machinery and equipment required to manage a vineyard successfully. Chapters 11-16 cover the management of the vineyard from planting through to full cropping, frost protection, weed control, protected vinegrowing, and pest and disease control. Chapter 17 is devoted to the important topic of Trunk Diseases and Chapter 18 to Organic and biodynamic viticulture. Finally, Chapter 19 is on 'Getting started'. There then follow eight appendices: - Useful addresses - Vineyard pre-planting check list - Vineyard running costs - Vineyard machinery costs - The Agricultural Flat Rate Scheme - The story of Wrotham Pinot - The complete history of sparkling wine production in Great Britain - so far - Jack Ward, Horam Manor and the Merrydown Wine Company

This volume collects the most important writings on viticulture by Nicholas Herbemont (1771-1839), who is widely considered the finest practicing winemaker of the early United States. Included are his two major treatises on viticulture, thirty-one other published pieces on vine growing and wine making, and essays that outline his agrarian philosophy. Over the course of his career, Herbemont cultivated more than three hundred varieties of grapes in a garden the size of a city block in Columbia, South Carolina, and in a vineyard at his plantation, Palmyra, just outside the city. Born in France, Herbemont carefully tested the most widely held methods of growing, pruning, processing, and fermentation in use in Europe to see which proved effective in the southern environment. His treatise "Wine Making," first published in the American Farmer in 1833, became for a generation the most widely read and reliable American guide to the art of producing potable vintage. David S. Shields, in his introductory essay, positions Herbemont not only as important to the history of viticulture in America but also as a notable proponent of agricultural reform in the South. Herbemont advocated such practices as crop rotation and soil replenishment and was an outspoken critic of slave-based cotton culture.