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Notes From the
Vintner
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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. 09/1/01
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The Wine is
made, so
you can kick back, Right?
….Wrong.
Making wine is like rearing a child. Just because you
produced it does not mean that you do not have to keep your
eyes on it. You need to watch the container of working wine
so the fermenting liquid does not bubble up and spill out
through the air lock. The fermentation container needs to be
kept cool and out of direct sunlight. The air lock needs to
be kept tight so air does not enter the container. When the
fermentation slows and is almost finished working, rack the
wine into a clean container. You do not want the wine
sitting on dead yeast cells and spent grape solids on the
bottom of the container. "Clean wine is good
wine" (Robert Cowie, 8-28-2001).
Now …
let's talk about some other things.
Do you know that
the Arkansas State Fair is going to have a wine
contest for the Arkansas Wineries? This is a first in
the Natural State. Arkansas is going to bring wine out of
the closet. This is a super great step that is being taken
by Debbie Moreland, Director of Creative Arts Department.
The farmers and winemakers of the state will have their
native fruits and arts on display and up for awards. The
judging of this event will be by a panel of the state's
leading knowledgeable wine people. This is going to be a
class act that many other states could follow. The event is
going to take place in Little Rock October 12 beginning
at 4 P. M. at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Arts and Crafts
Building, 2600 Howard Street. Plan now to stop by for a
visit.
Be sure to water
the vines after the grapes are harvested. They will
need a good drink, and they deserve one. And, speaking of
drink, I think that it is time to recheck last year's
vintage. … I think I shall have a nice glass of dry
red, and you ???
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