[.uk] The American Wine Society Presents: Growing Wine Grapes (ISBN 0961907207)

If you're gonna plant a few grapes, read this book!:
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.

Western States Beware.....:
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...

Probably a helpful read if starting a home vineyard:
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.

Wine and Cuisine:
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........

Important questiones unansewred.:
Very basic information at best. Not really much help if you are seriously thinking of growing your own grapes. Many questions, like what variety should I grow, in not addressed properly as far as a Merlot or Cabernet etc. In fact the word "Merlot" is not even in the book! How far apart should the vines be planted? Beats me! I guess I'll have to look in another book.