Yesterday we received the first little bundle of joy from Parcel 17, a ranch over in Salt Springs Valley on the western side of the county. This new vineyard is planted to three different Spanish varietals.
Graciano, pictured here, is planted along side Mazuelo, also known as Carignane, and Monastrell, which is also known as Mourvedre. Everything from this vineyard will be blended together and bottled as it's own product...and if the Graciano is any indication, it'll be a bomber!!
-Fermento
I take it those are grapes? Not knowing a thing about wine making, yet knowing well how to drink it (smile) I'm kinda lost here. Please explain so I can understand. I am very interested in knowing more.
Posted by: pissed off patricia | September 01, 2006 at 07:39 AM
Yes Patricia, they are grapes that have been removed from the stems by a machine appropriately called a destemmer. That same machine also crushes many of the berries (not all). They are then dropped into a bin (roughly 4'x4'). Red wines ferment on their skins, that is where they get their color, body, tannins, etc...all the stuff that makes them yummy. As the fermentation progresses, the CO2 floats the skins to the top and we must continually "punch them down" or re-submerge them.
Ever considered anger management classes??
Posted by: Fermento | September 01, 2006 at 10:49 AM