Grow your own wine

Global warming and the development of new vine varieties in Germany make it possible to grow grapes outdoors in Ireland. Steve Doyle planted his first vineyard in Dublin in 1988, then went on to co-found the Irish Vinegrowers Association in 1991.

He now runs irishgrapevines.ie, selling vines (for €5) which he claims, when mature, will produce enough fruit in a good year to make a litre of wine if grown outdoors on a trellis, and many litres if grown in a glasshouse. The vines are propagated by him, or sourced from certified nurseries in Germany.