Grapes are a versatile and highly productive plant that can become a valuable asset for any beekeeping farm. In mead-making, ripe grapes and their freshly pressed juice are excellent natural raw material. They enrich the honey must with natural sugars, organic acids and wild yeasts living on the fruit skins. This combination makes unique honey drinks — so-called piments (a blend of honey and grape juice) — with a deep ruby or golden colour, a noble wine aroma and a rich, balanced taste with a pleasant acidity.
On the apiary
Beyond wine and mead, the vine has important practical roles on the apiary grounds. Thanks to dense foliage and fast growth, grapes are ideal for thick living hedges. A green wall reliably shields the hives from strong wind, scorching sun and draughts, creating a comfortable microclimate for the bees. During flowering the vine also yields fragrant nectar and pollen that attract pollinators, while its strong root system holds moisture in the soil and protects the ground from erosion, beautifying the plot and bringing a generous yearly harvest.