Grapes - Harry Baker

The grape, Vitis vinifera, is a sun-loving hardy deciduous woody-stemmed climber from Asia Minor and the Caucasus. It does best in a temperate climate with springs free of frost and long, warm summers. It dislikes strong winds and heavy summer rainfall and takes two good consecutive summers to produce a full crop. Yet despite all these difficulties, the grape came to Britain with the Romans and has continued to flourish there ever since. Whether cultivated under glass (best for dessert grapes), or out in the open, given the right conditions and care, wine grapes can be grown across the country.