Your guide to choosing the right type of grape

So in this portion of The Wine Portal (I think we meant to call it the grape portal) by The Order Of The Iron Phoenix, we will cover numerous types of grapes, what they require and how to start producing them. Remember, almost all grapes can do the same type of action, this does not mean that there are not certain types that do certain tasks better than others. Please note we will isolate this section to grapes common to North America and Western Europe.

A general tip for planting any grape is to place a 2 meter pole above the vine the second you see it beginning to sprout. Tie strings to the plant and pole as it grows taller or support it's weight, cut the strings when the stem becomes strong enough to support it's own weight. Still keep tying the branches to posts, making the post taller and taller, until you have a tree formed.

Bronx Grapes: Bronx grapes are a type of grape hybrid between the common Concord grape, which is full of seeds, and the Thompson grape, which is seedless. This type does contain seeds,  so it's not the best type of grape if you are looking to create jams, wines or vinegars (it's also small and expensive ). But it is the type that people would adore having as a dessert, and they pay good money for it. The hybrid grape is neither too sweet , nor too bitter. But is is much softer than most other breeds of grape.

How do you plant Bronx grapes? Well, unfortunately, the seeds will yield nothing, so you have to go to a hybrid farmer and ask him for portions of the vine. This type of grape prefers sandier soil, and less sunlight than normal. Bronx grapes also demand high amounts of water.

If you plan on creating a Bronx grape plantation , the preferable time to start it is near the end of winter--like most other grape breeds that require you to plant vines rather than seeds. Remember, there is also a seedless variant of the Bronx grape, but its probably too expensive for you to buy if your just starting out.

Bronx Grapes


Cardinal Grapes: Cardinal grapes are probably the most common type of grape in the North American market, they are not seedless. If you plan on buying this breed of grape, you will be pleasantly surprised at how well it grows pretty much anywhere, and how you don't have to manufacture it into anything to make a profit. Yes, you can fetch a hefty sum for these, thick, juicy grapes. If you want to sell raw grapes, this may be your safest bet! In Asia, some countries make it into wine.

How do you plant cardinal grapes? Well, they come with some of the largest seeds seen in any type of grape, you plant them using seeds. Technically, this means that you should plant them in early spring after the soil defrosts.

Like most seeded variants, it will require more sunlight and water than seedless grapes. Also, when consulting your Nitrogen/Carbon ratio, you might want more nitrogen present in the soil, it just helps the grapes grow larger.

Cardinal Grapes


Concord Grapes: Have you ever bought a red grape juice that did not say it was made with concord grapes? Or have you seen less than  80% of all jams in the local supermarket being made of Concord Grapes?  The Concord grape is rather rarely served as a table grape due to it's nearly black pigment that stains worse than a blackberry. But if you are interested in this producing jams, juices, or weaker red wines, this is your grape! Also note grape seed oil from these grapes can sell for tons of money on the world market.  The pigment is what makes it so distinctive amongst the other "red grapes"

How do you plant Concord Grapes? Well, generally, you would use a portion of the vine. But unlike most grapes, the Concord also comes in a seeded variant, and budded variant.  So basically, it's like planting a flower, if you go for buds, go for the second month of spring, if your going for seeds, go for very early spring, and if your going for the vine, go for late winter. Again, this is a very lenient plant.

Generally, it requires a ton of care , and it grows quite quickly, so tying it to the posts will be a grueling task if your working alone and are growing a farm of these. It also requires softer soil, for whatever reason. Remember, you can do anything with this grape.

Concord Grapes


Black Monukka Grape: If you want to market raisins, this would be your type of grape, this grape is tiny, and sweet. 99% of raisins you see in the supermarket start out in a vineyard as Black Monukka Grapes. If you enjoy dried fruits, and think you can compete with the major companies, by all mean, try this grape out!

How do you grow Black Monukka Grapes? Usually, with this type of grape, you can take full grapes and plant them in early spring. The rule of thumb with Black Monukka Grapes is to allow the seeds inside the few seeded variants to use the fruit as nutrition, somehow this works very well as "cannibalistic plant food".

This type of grape allows you to be sparing with water and sunlight. It's a rugged plant, and it can take car of itself. But with some help from you, it will yield you a fortune of small grapes.

Black Monukka Grapes


Muscat Grape: If you want to create white wine vinegar, white wine, grape cider, champaign , or if you just want to sell expensive green grapes, the Muscat grape is the best option for you! This another type of grape that grows best from the vine, rather than the nearly nonexistent seeds. This is a long favorite of the French, German , Italian, Austrian, Spanish, Russian, Belgian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Polish, Dutch and English wineries. It has years of experience behind it, so if you want to create white specialties, this your best option.

How do you grow Muscat grapes? Well, this is best planted in the summer, which is unorthodox, but it's quite true. The plant requires tremendous amounts of sunlight, and water to match.  If you decide to use this breed of grape, space them out. If you don't, half will die, and the others will grow crippled.

This is a more fragile plant, try to cover it well during storms, and please support it with strong rope and strong poles. It's an expensive grape to maintain , but the profit potential is very real.

Muscat Grapes


Thompson Seedless Grape: This is the generic, seedless white grape. It doesn't do to well with the whole "being crushed into submission" thing. No, this is a grape you want to sell raw. It's seedless and the most common green grape on the market in North America.You definitely don't want to make white wine from this, it goes rancid too quickly.

How do you grow Thompson seedless grapes?  Well, you use the vine in early spring, again, be lenient with spacing them out, white grapes demand a ton of sunlight, much like the muscat grapes, they are a fragile plant, look above for caring instructions.

Generally, they will yield huge sums of grapes, and if you are interested in contacting a farmer's market, we suggest you start with this type of grape.

Thompson White Grapes


Carignan Grape: The Carignan is a very old type of grape, it has proven itself at making three things better than any other grape in the world: wine, vinegar and preservative. The finest red wines in the world, usually from France, Italy or Spain, are made from the Carignan grape. Some of the finer jellies are also created using the Carignan, people just see it as a "noble" grape. Something superior in taste to any other grape out there. It is also rumored to produce the finest vinegar in the world.

Ho can you grow Carignan grape? Well, its seeded, so it's preferable to use the seeds in early spring. Give this plant lots of care, water, and protect it from pests at all costs.

This is a proven moneymaker, as you will read on, we will tell you how to prepare wine, vinegar and preservative from this grape, so stay tuned.

Carignan Grape