Noble Muscadines

[ffemt128]

I know the batch Sirs picked for Julie and I was the begining of October. Julie was down the following weekend. We did our initial press Columbus day.

I'm definately setting some vacation time aside for a road trip if the grapes are available again. make a long weekend out of it.

 

[Julie]

I think September would be the prime picking time. Sirs had said when we were down that there were much more grapes a couple of weeks earlier.

 

[Sirs]

Just curious as to when the prime time of the year would be to pick them?? Just might be able to schedule a picking party!!
Al

Well according how the weather is but normally from about mid sept up till the first really hard frost

 

[Sirs]

I think September would be the prime picking time. Sirs had said when we were down that there were much more grapes a couple of weeks earlier.

well you got there after they came with the picking machines

 

[ffemt128]

I placed an electric oil heater near the primaries so they can feel all warm and cuddly in the 50 degree temps of my basement. I think onece fermentation starts I can slowly decrease the temp of the heater.

 

[Sirs]

they do love the warmth, just had about half a glass of some dry noble that I got it's got enough alcohol in it to make you all warm inside lol just like I like it

 

[ffemt128]

Fermentation has started. Both caps were at the top of the buckets when I arrived home today. Now begins the process of punching down the cap several times a day. I'm guessing around New Years I'll squeeze and remove the skins then transfer to a carboy.

 

[DavidB]

they do love the warmth, just had about half a glass of some dry noble that I got it's got enough alcohol in it to make you all warm inside lol just like I like it

This is why I'm always sitting around in shorts and a t-shirt!!! Two glasses of this and you have to come out of your clothes! Boy it sure is good.

I'm down to 5 six gallon carboys in bulk storage and a few one gallon jugs in the fridge and kitchen. None in primary. Don't know what I'm going to do. I may run out before I can get some more fermented!

Guess it's time to clean out the freezer. LOL

 

[Sirs]

if you make and drink up all those grapes you got from here son you got a problem for sure

 

[Sirs]

you got what 30 or more 5 gallon buckets of them didn't you......... do you know how many buckets you got?? I can't remember??

 

[DavidB]

you got what 30 or more 5 gallon buckets of them didn't you......... do you know how many buckets you got?? I can't remember??

I honestly lost count of the total buckets. Thirty might be close. No way I'm running out anytime soon. At least not until it's time to pick again.

Really hope you get to buy that place!!! Praying everyday that one of us hits the lottery or something.

I can't wait until around March so we can go over and get some cuttings. I would sure love to have about 6 to 10 of the Noble vines if nothing else.

 

[Sirs]

I know the feeling so bad. I'm gonna get cutting from most of the other grapes as well lol

 

[ffemt128]

I decided to pull the skins off the must tonight and squeeze the remaining juice from the skins. I ended up with 7 1/2 gallons of juice. Sg was at 1.000. Juice is now sitting in a clean primary and I will transfer to a carboy later in the week. Very full body with this batch.

 

[ffemt128]

Everthing is still fermenting. I checked the Ph of the must and it is currently at 3.02 according to the meter. I'll recheck as this progresses prior to transferring to carboy later this week.

 

[ffemt128]

I transferred my Muscadine to the carboy tonight using the pump purchased from Wade. Uphill racking, go figure. I have a 6 gallon carboy filled with low sediment juice and a gallon and a half of pretty heavy lees which will complact nicely and will be used to top up the 6 gallon at next racking. I'm guessing I'll end with 6 gallons instead of the original 7 I thought.