Notes From the Vintner Welcome to our column. We hope that you will return to learn interesting notes on wine, and related subjects. Wine is a great gift from God to be used for the enjoyment of man. It is a food, and should be treated as such. It is meant to lift up the body and lighten the soul. 10/1/00 A short rest it was….back to work Well the young wine is hiding in the barrels, until it is old enough to come out and play. And the winemaker is keeping a close eye on this wine to make sure it stays out of trouble. The wine will be racked this month…that is drawn off settlings into clean tanks. Tests are run to watch the growth of the new wine. And taste is taken now and then to allow the winemaker to judge the growth of the wine. But, The new wine is not the only kid on the block. All the wine in the cellars is checked and observed, and monitored by taste. ( Yes, it is a dirty, rotten, job, tasting all the wine, but someone has to do it.) You can not make the wine and then just let it do its thing…no, no; you must make sure that the wine is doing your thing. Each winemaker puts some of himself in each barrel of wine. This is the style and mark of a winemaker. The fall season is upon us, and it is time to be sure that all the shelves are full of wine, and gift items. This is a great time to go and visit the wineries. You may taste the wines of Arkansas and find out how good that they are. And having tasted the wine, you may want to purchase some for gifts for your friends and family. It is fun to meet the people at the wineries, and get the chance to talk to them about how the wine was made. There is also the advantage of buying a case of wine, and receiving a discount on the price. This makes the trip to the winery a win, win trip. There are four wineries in the Arkansas River Valley, and you would do well to visit all of them. The winemaker may be ready for another glass of wine, as he rolls up his sleeves to get the winery in tiptop shape for the winter. Remember, winter means pruning in the vineyard…so the winery needs to be in good shape. The work of the winery owner is never ending…the smaller the winery, the more the work…To your health….   Robert G Cowie Wine Maker Email The Vintner Vintner Notes Archive - 10/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 9/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 8/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 7/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 6/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 5/01/00 Vintner Notes Archive - 4/01/00