Review by Dr. Andy Reynolds

This is from his "What's New in Research" column in the March-April 2002 issue of Wine East Magazine.

Generations of winegrowers have read the works of viticultural experts from Europe, Australia, and California and attempted to apply their principles and practices to their specific regions. As embryonic wine industries continue to grow in areas such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Quebec, it is without question that many special considerations need to be applied to grow winegrapes in places with short growing seasons and harsh winter environments. This is a very timely book. It is an excellent synthesis of the inventiveness and persistence of those who grow grapes in such disparate regions as the Baltic (Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden), Quebec, China, and the US (primarily Minnesota and Wisconsin).

Northern Winework consists of 17 chapters and two appendices that list and describe recommend-ed grape varieties and resources. Topics include: a summary of "cold climate" grape regions and industry leaders in those areas; the physiology of vine acclimation; grape varieties and how to choose them; special cultural practices; site selection; training and prun-ing; physiology of fruit maturation; and, several chapters on set-ting up a small winery. The book is abundantly illustrated with charts and graphs, black and white photographs, and some excellent color plates. Most chapters, especially those dealing with vine physiology and viticulture, are very well researched and contain abundant literature citations.

I can recommend this volume to any individual who may be contemplating the establishment of a vineyard in a non-traditional area.

As a final comment, Northern Winework is dedicated to veteran grape breeder Elmer Swenson of Wisconsin.