The American Wine Society Presents: Growing Wine Grapes [Paperback]

J. R. McGrew (Author), J. Loenholdt (Author), A. Hunt (Author), H. Amberg (Author), T. Zabadal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

Containing advice from the experts, this guide offers helpful tips for growing wine grapes in any climate.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The American Wine Society was established in 1967 and has grown into a nationwide organization of amateur grape growers, winemakers, and wine aficionados interested in learning more about the history, production, appreciation, and use of wines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: G. W. Kent, Inc. (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961907207
• ISBN-13: 978-0961907204
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're gonna plant a few grapes, read this book!, July 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The American Wine Society Presents: Growing Wine Grapes (Paperback)

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.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Western States Beware....., April 22, 2003

By 

C. dworzak "John D" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Wine Society Presents: Growing Wine Grapes (Paperback)

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...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Probably a helpful read if starting a home vineyard, August 16, 2005

By 

R. Gravish - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Wine Society Presents: Growing Wine Grapes (Paperback)

I thought this book was mediocre at best. I was surprised when got it because it is a small book. I have read others on grape growing and wine making and this didnt hit the top of the list. I was a little surprised because some of the important info of this book contradicted other books which makes me think that there are different methods to do certain things. The book has some very good ideas, but it can sometimes be hard to understand. I found many of the illustrations and tables hard to understand. Being an amateur grape grower, I guess i just had more questions than the illustrations and explanations could answer. Some chapters are very good. For example there is one that talks about specific diseases; this would be a good reference for the amateur grape grower.

I would say to gain more knowledge if you are new to the subject, read this book because it will allow you to see things in a different perspective and it will reinforce certain ideas, but if you had to pick one book, dont pick this one. I really liked Jeff Cox's From Vines to Wines because it had good info on grape growing and wine making.