Viticulture - An introduction to commercial grape growing for wine production

by Stephen Skelton

"Viticulture" is an introduction to the professional world of growing grapes for wine production and is aimed at the serious student in the wine trade, WSET Diploma student or Master of Wine candidate. It is also aimed at anybody considering owning or planting a vineyard who wants a basic primer to the subject. It is written in an easy-to-read style, arranged in fourteen relatively short chapters and illustrated with over 100 photographs and charts. It covers every aspect of viticulture, starting with a chapter on vine physiology, continuing via varieties and rootstocks, vineyard establishment, and the annual cycle in the vineyard and ending with pests, diseases and vine nutrition. The book is all you need to know about grapegrowing in 167 pages and since it was first published in 2007 has sold over 10,000 copies all around the world. The 2nd Edition, published in late 2019, has been updated to take account of modern developments in vine growing.

Genres: Wine

146 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2009

Reviews

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for my WSET Diploma class. Although I gave it 4 stars, indicating I "really liked it", I don't know how true that is. :) It's a short book, but dense. I was only able to digest a few pages a day - which is probably why it took me a few months to get through it.

For someone with little background/education in viticulture though, this was definitely helpful and I feel I have a much better grasp on the subject.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

WSET Students:
This is essentially a summary of the Diploma Unit 2 book. It provides no additional information, and if you have studied the Unit 2 book, you need not waste your time with this one. Skelton offers some interesting opinions, but no data to back them up.

To prepare for your exams, the provided study guide, Sunlight into Wine, and Understanding Wine Technology are more than enough.

[Scott Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a book I am trying to memorize. So one read or listen will not be enough. A very concise overview of each pertinent aspect of viticulture. There are some views he has that I would love to debate him on but maybe not til I get to his level of expertise. Somewhere though I feel he is pro automation and not to keen on organic in all its aspects.

[Manuel Alamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very instructive and highly recommended for WSET Diploma Students.
I used it as an alternative reading for WSET Diploma Unit 1 and helped me a lot to go deeper to some contents and explanations.

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dry, but still full bodied take on growing the grapes.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and comprehend

[Alex Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly a worthwhile book for the price. While the content in this book is similar to what a WSET student already gets through unit 2, I found the writing better and rounded out by his personal examples and experience. The WSET unit 2 book is very terse and reads like a list of things to know.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The material is detailed and in depth coverage of Viticulture for the ampelographer- but I can't say it was fun to read. Necessary information, presented in a well-organized fashion. Good as a reference, but definitely dry.

[Nick Stengel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry, as one might expect. But it's a thin volume packed with important information. Well organized and presented. Required reading.

[Gaby Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful for studying wine, with lots of interesting facts and clear explanations. Easy to read and understand!