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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. 9/01/07 |
What is worse than bad???...Bad, Bad, Real Bad. And that is how things look at the vineyard. I have never seen things look like this. Out of three acres of grapes, I have three bunches of grapes. That comes out to one bunch per acre….meaning they are more valuable than pure gold. So this Saturday, Miss Kristi, The Arkansas Grape Stomping Queen, is going to turn them into an offering for a better crop next year. But after all, is that not what we live for anyway…to do things better next time? So Saturday, September 8 th, at 5:00, the whole 2007 crop will be offered… and I shall observe the event with a large glass of wine.
So what do we do about all the problems in the vineyard? Well we get off our butts and stop moaning and get to work. I had a good grape growing friend walk the vineyard with me today, and we talked about what action I should take. I spoke with Dr. Morris at the University of Arkansas today; he gave me advice on my plan of action. And then I ordered replacement plants for part of the vineyard. So we have a plan, we have workers lined up, and we have new plants ordered. It is important in making and enjoying wine that you hold fast to the big picture, and not get bent out of shape over problems…Problems just add to the means to the end. What is important is the end…the grapes that will be produced in a couple of years from the problems of the freeze last Easter, and the wine we shall enjoy.
Now we have the plan and in a few weeks after the first frost, the trellis system will be converted over to a new system. Old dead plants and damaged plants removed, new plants placed in the ground. And the hope and dream of a great new vineyard shall be born.
So, let’s go toast the new plans, and enjoy the good wine that the grapes produce. May the Good Lord Bless this new Vineyard….To the Good Lord, and to us…
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