Pruning Grape Vines

[LegTaste]

My title might be a bit off from what i want to achieve, i'm actually looking to make wine from the leaves of a grape vine.

I have a releative with a grape vine in their greenhouse, it hasn't really been taken care of and although quite big it hasn't got many bunches of grapes.

I need 2.25 kg of leaves and tendrills.

For such a large ammount i can see myself stripping the entire vine of leaves.

Just how much, and where can i take the leaves without worrying about doing any harm to it.

[bobleponge]

I've only just started to prune my vine after about 4 years of neglect, but I only do it late in the year once all the leaves and tendrils have died away naturally.
I'm not sure how the vine would react to being stripped of all its foliage at this time of year, but I suspect not very well at all.

[Bountyhunter]

I have a 3 year old vine and am hoping to make wine from it but i will be using the red grapes. I have never heard of using the leaves. What would it taste of?

You can prune a vine twice a year i think. If you want to train a vine that has been left to its own devices you can cut it right back to almost a stick. If you do a big prune i think its best to do it when the vine is dormant, or when the sap isnt rising, Jan/Feb i think is a good time.

Good luck

[LegTaste]

Thanks for the info.

Acording to the book i got the recipe from leaf wine can taste better than (your) grape wine.

Apparently it can be hard to grow good red grapes for wine making in the uk.

I did steep a few leaves in some hot water, smelt quite nice.

[Bountyhunter]

Thanks for the info.

Acording to the book i got the recipe from leaf wine can taste better than (your) grape wine.

Apparently it can be hard to grow good red grapes for wine making in the uk.

I did steep a few leaves in some hot water, smelt quite nice.

Well you learn something new every day!

The vine i have is for desert or wine and very easy to grow. I am going to have loads of bunches this year but i dont spose i will make wine yet as i have no equipment but its something i will do in the future. I might take off a few leaves and do what you did, just to satisfy my curiosity lol. I have pics of my vine and grapes in my blog if its any help. My neighbour is going to use cucumbers for her wine, another weird one lol
Sara

[Alison]

I seem to remember there is a recipe for this in the CB Berry book. Whilst you should prune into old wood at this time of year, it's fine to cut off the tends of the green leaves. Maybe if you don't have enough you could try a half amount this time?