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. 6/1/02
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The
Grapes are a growing…which
means that it is time to make the new wine soon. Time flies
when we are having fun. But before you start getting ready
for the new wine, be sure that the aging wine is in good
shape. It is important that you have the wine stored in a
cool, dry, and dark area. The wine likes to rest just like
we do, and this makes us better- as resting does the wine.
Be sure that no air can get into the containers. If there is
any settling in the wine, rack it off. And be sure that you
check the sulfur content of the wine - it should be about 20
ppm free so2. Remember that it is the free so2 you want at
20 ppm, and not total so2.
It is important to
keep the finished wine in good shape…for that is the
wine that you can enjoy.
Now do not get too
caught up in the vineyard, you still have to save some time
to keep the cellar in good order. Remember the small things
that you were going to change before you made wine again???
Well now is the time to do the small jobs that make it
easier to make the wine. It is important to be sure that all
the items that you use in making the wine are clean and
ready for use when the season gets rolling. If there is any
repairs to do on the crusher, press or other items…get
on the ball and get started. The night before you receive
the fruit is not the time to do these jobs. This is the time
to get the job done while enjoying a fine glass of your
wine…or mine.
It does not take
lone to get your cellar in order, and it takes just a bit of
rushing to make it look like a mess. Remember, Keep
it clean and keep it neat.
Now that I have
told you all these things, I am going to get a glass of wine
and clean up my cellar…To Us…
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