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. 4/01/08
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“How dry I am”, is an old bar song that I wish we could sing. But we would have to change the words to “How wet we are”…for it is easier to plant rice in western Arkansas than it is to plant grape plants. It rains a few days and then stops for a day or two, and then back to rain. This is with me having 800 plants to get into the ground to replace the ones that I pulled because of last year's freeze. I have a big crew to help with the planting in the vineyard if it ever dries up. But others have the same problem. I know and believe that things work out, but in my older age I do not have tons of time, so I want it now…
We have done much work in the vineyard, changing the trellis style, adding new end brace posts, adding wire stretchers, and going to a grass cove from a disking between the rows. It is important to cut work time and labor to a manageable level when you are in your upper sixties. Plus this gives you more time to drink wine after the day ends.
Remember that the vineyard takes a lot of work, and you should walk the rows often so that you know how the plants are doing and are able to catch any problems from the beginning.
Your spray schedule should be laid out for the season, and your sprays stored correctly in your storage area. The day you wish to spray is not the time to go buy the spray. It is your program and you need to be in charge of things. You can not allow outside events to mess up your spray program. Be sure that the equipment is ready to go the week before you plan on beginning the program. This is your project, and you need to stay in control.
Now that we have talked a bit on the things you know and needed to be reminded of, let us enjoy a glass of your fine wine. There is much work until the harvest. To Us…
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The Vintner *
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Robert G Cowie
Wine Maker |
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