I've been growing two black Muscat vines for years now. The vines came as cuttings from 'the brothers' back garden. I'm not sure he remembers where they came from in the first place! It's good fun pruning and wiring and playing games with the Irish weather. I wrote a fun blog on this a couple of years ago titled, 'Uncle Richards Grapes'.
Some years I get enough to make a jam. One year I made a vodka infusion and, while it still looks and smells fantastic, I'm afraid to drink it! Give me time and a few more tax audits....
This year was quite good. I managed to take photos of a bunch from flowering through to ripening. They worked out well. Flowering is my annual headache. This year was no exception. I ended up with quite lot of millerandage. That said the bunches that did manage to pop out in sheltered crevasses/suntraps were full enough to admire through the summer months.
Will we see more vineyards in Ireland. I think so. We have some terrific sites that as far as I can see are being used for very little right now. Will we have an Irish Wine trade in Ireland? I don't think so but there's more ways to make money out of a vineyard than from wine alone ....
I'm so jealous! I've had two years of abject failure with my vines. There isn't much I can do to help them just yet though, as they are on a vaguely north-facing patio (it's the only place I have) and are living in pots.
ReplyDeleteThey're still alive though so I swear by God I will make them flower and fruit some year. When I eventually buy a house the plan is to build a raised, due south-facing, slightly sloped bed of poor soil and pray for a good summer.
That's amazing! I live in Kildare, in Carbury and want to grow some grapes this year. If you have any seeds to spare I'm will to buy some off of you if they are for sale.
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