When to harvest Frontenac Blanc

[dswatson]

Does anyone have any experience with Frontenac Blanc grapes? I'm looking for some advice on when to harvest. They are very soft, have developed some nice colour, and are currently measuring Brix: 21.0 and PH: 2.74. This is our first year harvesting grapes and making wine, so I don't have much experience to fall back on. Thoughts?

 

[Rice_Guy]

In this region the yellow jackets tell me when I have to get them or lose them

By the numbers I picked at pH 3.58 and a gravity of 1.104. Last year was pH 3.01 and a gravity of 1.100

by the way your culture looks wonderful

 

[montanarick]

I would say you're good to go. I'll be picking mine tomorrow at 21 brix

 

[BigH]

Does anyone have any experience with Frontenac Blanc grapes? ... Brix: 21.0 and PH: 2.74.

I would let them hang if the berries are in good shape and you have pests under control. 2.74 is pretty acidic yet. I usually harvest mine around 25 brix and 3.1 pH. Keep an eye on the berries though. Look for SWD damage and signs of rot starting in the skins.

H

 

[montanarick]

Actually picked at 23 brix today

 

[dswatson]

We harvested yesterday. Brix was 21 and the PH was 2.9. Cold settling now.

 

[montanarick]

When all was said and done SG was 1.092 (22 brix); pH 2.83 and TA 20.4 gm/l. Pitched yeast yesterday QA23

 

[dswatson]

Here is a short video of our first harvest and pressing:

 

[montanarick]

very nice. won't be long before you start to upgrade your equipment i bet

 

[Steve Wargo]

Here is a short video of our first harvest and pressing:

Good Video FB makes very good wine