United States
£ GBP
Alan Rowe's Handbook results from more than 30 years experience of vine growing in Suffolk. He gives practical guidance for selecting varieties for the table, for wine and for decoration and describes logical routes to successful viticulture and viniculture whether outdoors, indoors on walls or in pots. More than 100 varieties are described and assessed for their suitability for home-growing; including newer low and no-spray hybrids, which are suitable for organic culture. There are chapters on husbandry, preparing and keeping grapes for the table, the making of still and sparkling wines, juicing, verjuice and vinegar making. This, the third edition, is completely updated and includes experience with seedless varieties, of which 14 are described and assessed. Well illustrated with over 60 colour photographs and many line drawings, this book is a comprehensive guide for anyone wishing to grow grapes or simply to learn more about them.
- Fact and fable, history
- Grapes suitable for growing in the British Isles
- Planting, pruning, training and propogation
- Feeding, mulching and maintaining fertility
- Pests, diseases and a spraying programme
- Harvesting, preservation and vinification
" [...] accurate, clear, straightforward and thorough [...] this work should be on every vinegrower's bookshelf [...] "
– Brian Edwards, holder of the National Outdoor Grape Collection
" [...] above all else this book is logical, easily understandable and lends itself readily for practical use [...] "
– Stephen Read, holder of the National Glasshouse Grape Collection
" [...] an admirably useful, personal guide to the practicalities of growing grapes and making wine on a small scale in the British Isles [...] "
– Jancis Robinson, wine writer, joumalist, radio and television broadcaster
" [...] most interesting and informative [...] l spent several enjoyable evenings reading this book, which is quite obviously the result of hands-on experience [...] "
– Geoffrey Smith, gardening writer; radio and television broadcaster
