Grape vines for the south west

10fathoms

Good morning,

Could anyone recommend a vine suitable to grow in the south west (Kerry)?

It would be in a poly tunnel but in an area that's close to the sea (approx 2 km).

It would be planted in a South facing location so plenty of sunshine if we ever get any.

Preferably looking at eating grapes.

Thanks!

I did some research last year but cant remember most of it now.
Black Hamburg kept coming up and it ended up being one of the only varieties i could get locally.
Its sprung into life in the last 3 weeks.
Planted outside the greenhouse but trained in through the wall.

The missus did manage to pick up a white grape vine that we planted outside and it looks like its getting some buds now,its way behind the indoor one.
My uncle has a white grape vine outside the last 15years or so and its magnificent in summer.Loaded with tiny buches .

macraignil

I planted a cheap Merlot vine I got in one of the German supermarkets and here is a video clip of it with some grapes five years back. It is planted near the edge of the tunnel in north county Cork which I do not try to keep insulated as I read it is important for the roots to get some amount of cold in the winter for them to fruit well. The vine is productive but the skin might be a bit thick for an eating grape although that is all I do with part of the crop which mostly gets left for the birds in recent years. I think most vines should grow OK in the situation you describe but a soft skinned one might be better for eating. Monty Donn from BBC Gardeners World recommends thinning out the grapes to help the fruit get bigger and tastier but I have never had the patience to do this and do find some of the bigger bunches can have a few moldy fruit near the middle of the bunch. Just don't have the right set up in the kitchen to brew some wine but have to give it a go some year as it is a shame to not be using all of the fruit. I visited Glebe Gardens near Baltimore in west Cork before and I think they mentioned having a nice eating grape in a polytunnel but also think they might have mentioned having a problem with wasps being attracted which might be more of a problem with soft skinned varieties of grape. If you get in touch with them they might be able to give you some more information on their experience as it was a few years back that I visited there.

10fathoms

Thanks for all the great advice and tips lads. That vine in your YouTube video is thriving!