Review by Hudson Cattell

This is from his "Wine in Print" column of the July-August 2002 issue of Wine East magazine (reproduced with his permission.)

This book was given a very favorable review by Andy Reynolds at the end of his "What's New in Research" column in the March-April issue of Wine East. I can only second Andy's recommendation of the book to anyone interested in establishing a vineyard and making wine in cold climate areas with short growing seasons and harsh winters. This is a "hands-on" book with photographs, figures and tables adding much to the well-written text that covers the basics of grape growing and winemaking for cold climates.

What struck me immediately about the book was the authority with which the book was written. The authors not only share their experiences and freely express their opinions and advice, but give the reader the benefit of their visits to vineyards and wineries in ten states and eight countries. Through the exchange of information that comes from personal contacts, correspondence with experts and research papers they have been able to give the reader expertise from around the world. For example, techniques to increase heat gain are shown including one system from Latvia which utilizes a light-reflective wall, a floating row cover for early autumn frost protection and vines trained at an optimal angle to the sun.

Sever vine training systems from around the world are discussed that allow vines to be easily covered with mulch or soil; a low cordon method used successfully from Denmark to Belarus, a low head training method used in Quebec (also known as the Gavot style of training in France) and two systems developed in Minnesota- the Mini-J Style system for varieties such as Seyval and Chardonnay and the J-Style system for vines with rambling growth habits.

For those who want to grow grapes where even the earliest grape varieties will not ripen, information is given on an unheated plastic house reported on by University of Helsinki researcher Meeri Saario which accumulates 75 to 100% more heat than an outdoor site in Helsinki and extends the growing season by about one month in the fall and a month in the spring.

It is this level of expertise underlying the authors' text that makes this book as valuable as it is. In many ways this book is a tribute to the many years of hard work by the members of the Minnesota Grape Growers Association who have so successfully tackled the challenging task of growing grapes and wine in Minnesota.