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. 12/1/03
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The vineyard is
calling…and
it is time to answer the call. Procrastination is not an
art; it is a pain in the backside of Happiness. So let's
grab a bottle of wine, a bit of cheese and some crackers on
the way to the vineyard.
But smile, it is a
wonderful day, and the sun is out. Some weeds have grown,
and a few wires need to be stretched. The centers have been
disked, and the vines are crying out to be pruned. Where
shall we start? How about a sip of wine first?
You start by
removing all the weeds from under the row. Then can be
placed in the centers to be drug out and burned. Next, let's
start pruning the vines. This is a slow job, as you want to
be correct in what you are doing. The next year's crop is in
your hands as you prune. You are planning to leave about 60
buds per vine. The wood pruned from the vines is laid in the
rows so that they may be used for cutting stock if needed.
Be sure that any diseased or scarred wood is removed.
Remember to plan ahead as your prune, how the wine may grow
this coming year and the next. It will take a few days to
prune the whole vineyard.
There, all the
vines are pruned, and you are proud of your work. It is time
to drag the cutting out of the rows and pile them to burn if
no cuttings are to be made. Be sure that the wires are
pulled very tight. The weight of the vines will put much
pressure on them to sag. Now that the wires are tight, let's
tie the vines up. The new plastic clips are really nice to
get the job done. It is a couple of weeks later, and the
vineyard is set for the next season. Only a dormant spray is
left to do.
So, let check out
the cellar, and find a good bottle to
celebrate…To
Us, and the vines…
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