Training grapes on a pergola

[ladyj]

I am very new to grape growing, so I would be very grateful if anyone could help me please.
My husband has just built a wonderful pergola and we have bought two varieties of grape, Lakemont and Brandt.
I have read about the pruning that should be done in the first few years, but they tend to be for grapes grown on a wall.
If I am training them up a pergola, do I remove all the lateral shoots as they grow, until the main stem reaches the top of the pergola and then start training the lateral shoots to spread across the framework ?

Also can anyone recommend me a good book on grape growing ?

[pigletwillie]

I am in the process of doing the same LadyJ and will be cutting the laterals that will be too low back to 2-3 buds until the leader is up and over. Once it is established there, I will prune out all of the lower laterals that are not wanted. This way it has plenty of leaf to fuel the growth to the top of the pergola.

Lakemont is a cracker for outdoors, I have not come across Brandt before though.

Finally, welcome to the vine, enjoy!

[ladyj]

Thanks for your help Pigletwillie.

Brandt is a black grape, you can get indoor or outdoor types. The fruit although apparently small is good for dessert or winemaking, and it is supposed to have striking red foliage in the autumn.