2007 Montepulciano

[Richard S]

I racked the monte (both runs) and it smells fantastic. Had a little taste (as you do) and although it's rough, there are some great tastes developing.

How long do you think I should leave it in dj's? I was thinking of filtering then bottleing over christmas then leaving it to mature in the bottles. What do you think?

[Duffbeer]

It's your shout mate, the more the bulk the better, but if your struggling for space then 1 gal d/j's or bottle if you have to, bulk ageing is best but not allways open to us all.,, Your choice dude

[medpretzel]

It's your shout mate, the more the bulk the better, but if your struggling for space then 1 gal d/j's or bottle if you have to, bulk ageing is best but not allways open to us all.,, Your choice dude

Think of it this way: Each bottle is its own micro-environment. Each could age differently. Not that it would, but it could.

Think of making biscuits instead of bread. Each biscuit might be a little different than if you would have baked a whole loaf of bread of the same dough. The same thing for the wine. Each biscuit is each bottle. A loaf is the demijohn.

That's how I like to think of it, at least.

[Richard S]

Ok guys, i'm gonna leave it alone for now. The bulk of my Monte is in dj's but I have some from each run in 1 pint milk bottles under airlocks. I also have 1 pint that I managed to salvage from the racking process that is a mixture of both runs, I intend to use this for top up. I will be looking for more suitable containers for these odd balls.

So, how do you get a loaf into a dj and isn't racking going to be a problem?

Sorry, I can't help my self

[medpretzel]

So, how do you get a loaf into a dj and isn't racking going to be a problem?

Sorry, I can't help my self

Yes, but it takes talent to do so.

[Richard S]

Had a taste of the Monte again, it's starting to smooth out now. The 2 runs are different in just about every way - colour, smell, taste etc. 6 months to "Grapefest 08"!!!

[Richard S]

Filtered and bottled the second run today, got 7 bottles and 1 pint from it. I might do a blending trial in the near future to use up the odd amount left over. It looks like the 1st run will give me 13-14 bottles. Not too bad considering that the grapes didn't yield as much juice as expected.

[lockwood1956]

We will get more from them this year though dude, I've sourced some good enzyme

[lockwood1956]

Oh......

and 4 1/2 months to go ....well 132 days to be precise

[Hippie]

Is it warm and dry there in September ?

[Mamgiowl]

Sometimes.

It can be the best month of the year if it gets its act together.

[Richard S]

Oh......

and 4 1/2 months to go ....well 132 days to be precise

Bring it on, yeeehaaaw!!!!!

Is it warm and dry there in September ?

Will prob be warm, will def be wet when all those corks get pulled.

Sometimes.

It can be the best month of the year if it gets its act together.

Sept WILL be the best month, it's grapefest

[lockwood1956]

130 Days to Go!!!!

it reached 70 degress here today whoo hoo

[NorthernWiner]

Same here... it's actually supposed to get to 75 later in the day.

Now I want to see some buds bursting... dammit!

[rjb222]

temp

Not here yet still cool about 55 F but we do have a few leaves showing on the cottonwoods.