Grapefest 2008

[Richard S]

Definately coming:
ITALIAN
Trebbiano
Ciliegiulio
Sangiovese
Montepulciano
SPANISH
Grenache
Tempranillo....whoo hooooooooo (Rioja)


Possible varieties (not certain yet)
ITALIAN
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
SICILIAN
Nero D'avola
unknown white variety

Depending on availability/quality etc I will have 5 boxes of:

Merlot

or

Tempranillo

or

Cab Sauv

I will let you know what Mark wants, prob 5 boxes of something different to what I am doing.

[Duffbeer]

certainly. Please make cheques payable to..

... Morton Enterprises PLC ?

[Duffbeer]

5 Merlot
5 Grenache
5 tempranillo
1 trebbiano
1 unknown Sicilian

[NorthernWiner]

...1 unknown Sicilian

Let me guess... his name is "Frankie" and he used to work for the mob?

[Duffbeer]

Let me guess... his name is "Frankie" and he used to work for the mob?

You got it Steve and no one messes with Frankie

[goldseal]

5 tempranillo
5 grenache

(backup: 5 Nero D'avola)

Is it worth be trying some 1 gallon batches to gain some experience? If so:

1 Nero D'avola (bit like a Shiraz?)
1 Montepulciano
1 Merlot

As usual, assume I'm clueless and advise/correct as usual

[Zebedee]

I think if I was doing it ,I'd want to try 1 gal batches first...
Main reason ia..after about 5 days it needs pressing and I dont have a press so 1 gal is about as much as I would try to press by hand.

[goldseal]

Eek!

Must have missed that bit in my revision. Advice?

[Duffbeer]

Eek!

Must have missed that bit in my revision. Advice?

When pressing is due pour off all the free run juice and place skins in a straining bag and squeeze by hand, not a massive task.
I think Richard_S and Rich did it that way last year and their back for more so nothing to worry about.

[goldseal]

Excellent

That's a job I'll get Mrs. Goldseal involved in, I think. Just don't tell her.

Just realised I didn't include a White in my selection. Suggestions for a 1gal experimental batch?

[Richard S]

Unless you are doing loads there is no need for a press but you will need a coarse mesh straining bag.

[NorthernWiner]

It's entirely possible to work with 100 kilos or so without using a press or straining bag, and only a little more time consuming. The first three years I made wine from grapes, I didn't own one.

Simply put a large kitchen colander over the receiving vessel and scoop the skins into it with a ladle. When it's about half full, use the back of the ladle to push down on the skins and squeeze out the remaining juice. Empty the colander and repeat as often as needed. If you have one, you can certainly put the pomace into a straining back and hang it over another bucket to drain even further.

Keep in mind that by using this method you may get a thicker layer of muck in the bottom of the receiving DJ, but you will want to rack it off this stuff within 1 or 2 days anyway.

[goldseal]

Thanks everyone - you've put my mind at rest

[Duffbeer]

4 weeks today !!!

[lockwood1956]

26 Days!