[jonewer]

I tried to take cuttings from my neighbours grape vines but they dont seem to have taken. Boo!

Anyay, does anyone have any recommendations for what grapevines to grow and where to buy them from?

Thanks!

[hightide]

You need to think what you want to grow first as they will be in the ground a long time - Dessert or grapes for wine? are you planning to grow them indoors or outdoors? and black or white?

outdoor black 'Boskoop Glory'
outdoor white 'Siegerrebe'

indoor white 'Fosters Seedlings'
indoor black 'Alicante'

Have been recommended to me when I asked the same question; I notice you live further south just remember that grapes don't like chalky soil so you may need to prepare the ground first - deep and well drained.
Get a book on viticulture, (Dr Hessayon has a list of suitable grape varieties in 'The Expert' books published under his name.) 
Don't faff about, buy a one year old plant now from your garden centre or pop along to Wisley

[mumofstig]

I notice you live further south just remember that grapes don't like chalky soil so you may need to prepare the ground first -.

That's strange as champagne are chardonney vines are grown on chalk.

[Trillium]

Here's all you need to know about propagating grape cuttings. The key is sharp sand to grow them on rather than vermiculite.

[jonewer]

Thanks all. Going to be outdoors dessert grapes. One against a wall, t'other against the front of the house.

hightide - I'm not so sure about grapes not liking chalky soil (which I dont have) but most of this country's vinyards are in Sussex which is almost all chalk.

[savbo]

I was once told to plant them in concrete rubble which will be quite limey

[jonewer]

Well I found some anonymous "outdoor red grape" or "outdoor white grape" for £11 at my closest nursery. Might just go ahead and buy one of each. Look like 1st year grafts.

[Trillium]

Known varieties are often the easiest way. If they grow in your area, then you're well ahead. And, you can still take live cuttings which will root more easily than old wood cuttings - unless they've been grafted or chipped.

[hightide]

Hi Guys and Gals
I saw some of your comments and I did say vines don’t like chalky soil, try to grow unspecified grape vines in that type of soil is unsafe as the plants are likely to turn out weak with pale yellow leaves and a poor crop.
I need to say all commercial growers grow their vines on rootstock tailored to their soil and variety to get the best crop. The type of rootstock determines the ability of the plant to handle some pretty poor soil, the great majority cannot handle too much lime, which is funny as some is needed to balance the sugar/acid content of the fruit, but only a certain amount.
It is true the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for wine are grown on a chalky or a clay-chalk mixture, but the ground in the champagne region is suitable for other reasons to give the roots a constant water supply, reflect the sun during the day and release the heat at night. These vine rootstocks have to be tolerant of the lime in the soil and act as a filter, too much limestone, and the vines encounter problems with chlorosis.
Viticulture is a fascinating subject, well documented and well old - cheers.

[Casey76]

I would also point out, that in the UK, you will definitely need an unshaded south facing wall if you are growing dessert grapes.  You will need as much sun exposure as possible to sweeten them up!

[Salmo]

Well I found some anonymous "outdoor red grape" or "outdoor white grape" for £11 at my closest nursery. Might just go ahead and buy one of each. Look like 1st year grafts.

You have no idea what these are. Better to spend a little money and get known varieties that will produce the sort of grapes you want.

Keep in mind that these plants will be with you for many years.

[iggyboy60]

My Boskoop Glory has produced fantastic sweet grapes for the past two years,but its growing inside my polytunnel...there's no chance up here of growing grapes outdoors! Our site is wide open and we get strong winds and heavy rain....far more than our fair share,I reckon.

[jonewer]

I bought a Pinot Noir from wilkos today. Because it was so cheap I bought two! Talk about impulse purchases! 

Anyway, whats done is done. Still have lots of wall to plant against so could maybe squeeze in a Boskoop also.

[Babstreefern]

I have a grapevine in my greenhouse which gives it full sun all day in the summer.  Am starting to get lovely grapes.  You don't pick them for the first three years. 

Also, if you are intending to grow grapes just for eating, try picking one that's seedless

Also, do not feed them or water them .  They need to find their own in the ground, this will give you better grapes .  If you lavish too much attention on them, they will "feel at home" and will produce more shrub than fruit .  Remember, all vineyards are grown on the sides of hills where the water drains away, and you never see hosepipes flowing about like you would do in the farmfields of France, Italy or Germany.