It's February, So I'm thinking Chile...

[Boatboy24]

Yep, SOP indeed. But a week, maybe two earlier than the last two years. That is good. Should keep me free (and out of the doghouse) for our anniversary weekend.

 

[ceeaton]

Should keep me free (and out of the doghouse) for our anniversary weekend.

My wife was hoping for later in May for our anniversary (17th). If the weekend they think is true is true, she has to work.

Just concerned now, ordered a Pinot Noir bucket and one lug of grapes. If the lug comes in later, isn't much of a "batch" to ferment on it's own.

 

[Boatboy24]

My wife was hoping for later in May for our anniversary (17th). If the weekend they think is true is true, she has to work.

Just concerned now, ordered a Pinot Noir bucket and one lug of grapes. If the lug comes in later, isn't much of a "batch" to ferment on it's own.

Ours is the 20th.

If I'm not mistaken, the buckets come in a few batches. The grapes are in when their in.

 

[Boatboy24]

Looks like the last week of April is when it begins!

 

[ceeaton]

Looks like two trips for me. One for buckets, one for grapes. That might change, as I remember it did last year.

Will they keep a bucket in the cooler until your grapes arrive? I guess I could ask, but that would be too easy. I think at 33*F you don't have to worry about a spontaneous fermentation starting up.

 

[Boatboy24]

Will they keep a bucket in the cooler until your grapes arrive? I guess I could ask, but that would be too easy. I think at 33*F you don't have to worry about a spontaneous fermentation starting up.

Yes - especially if there's only a 1 week delay. I'm conflicted. Looks like my Merlot grapes will be early. May swap them out for some Petit Verdot if I can.

 

[Boatboy24]

Got my yeasts and other goodies ordered.

Would love to meet some other winemakers headed to Harford. But because the weekends are pretty crazy this time of year, I'll most likely be taking a Friday off to go pick up my order. If there's any interest, let me know.

 

[Boatboy24]

Gotta love MoreWine having a warehouse in PA. The goods were on my doorstep this morning.

 

[ceeaton]

Just got an email from Harford confirming next weeks delivery. Might even get my grapes the same time if I'm lucky. Engineering for next Friday off since my wife normally has off Friday when she works the weekend. Sounds like a juice run followed by an early anniversary lunch in Hanover, PA on the way back home. Always enjoy the trip home since I usually buy her a tasting from Teresa, gets her a bit silly before lunch.

Now I definitely need to get something bottled this weekend.

 

[Boatboy24]

As usual, the grapes I order don't come in at the same time. I have juice and grapes for Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Carmenere. Of course, the Merlot will be in next week. All others MIGHT be in next week as well. EXCEPT for Cab Sauv, which will definitely not be in until the following week.

I guess if all but the cab are in next week, I'll see if I can sub my cab grapes for something else to go into that juice bucket. What's the collective opinion - should I just throw Merlot grapes into the Cab bucket?

Keep me posted on your schedule, Craig. Maybe we can meet and swap a few bottles.

 

[ceeaton]

Keep me posted on your schedule, Craig. Maybe we can meet and swap a few bottles.

Sounds like a plan. Need to get the "boss" to approve it as she may already have plans that day. If she does I'll be there right when they open up so I can get home and tinker with my juice (something doesn't sound quite right about that statement).

So in the case of your Cab Sauv, wouldn't they store the bucket there for a week and let you pick it up when the grapes come in? I know Kevin said that he kept that cooler where he stores everything at 33-35*F. I was thinking of asking them that if the Pinot Noir grapes don't come in the first batch.

 

[Boatboy24]

I'm going to ask them that. I had a friend who did that accidentally two years ago. I think it was Old Vine Zinfandel. Anyway, he'd ordered grapes all from one location in CA, except for his Zin, which came in a week before everything else. They called him to tell him his grapes had been sitting there for 5 days and wanted to know if he was picking them up. I never had any of it, but he told me the wine was just fine.

 

[ceeaton]

Talked with the wife, she may be studying for her final, so I may just be on my own. If she does go she'd want to go early, so if they open up Friday morning at 10 am I'll be there between 10 and 11, depending on traffic.

This assumes that we get an email early next week saying it is "on" for sure.

 

[Boatboy24]

I think noon is their usual start time.

 

[Boatboy24]

Looks like they're starting early this time. 8am. I'm tempted to be there when they open, but am on the fence. It would mean I'd run into the tail end of Baltimore rush hour on the way home, but I'd be home before lunch and would have the afternoon free.

 

[Boatboy24]

So, back to the original topic: I ultimately committed to buckets of Carmenere, Cab Sauv, Merlot and Syrah. One lug each for the Carmenere and Syrah, along with 2 lugs each for the Merlot and Cab. Well, the Carm and Cab aren't coming until next week, but all the juice buckets are in this week. I've asked them if I can swap my Cab for more Merlot and the Carmenere for Petit Verdot. So the Cab juice bucket will have the Merlot grapes and the Carm will get the PV (which will come close to mimicking "Purple Angel").