13 replies to this topic

[ANUSTART]

I'm going through some old emails, and found the newsletter from the LHBS. They're taking preorders for the grape harvest already.Colorado grapes, all $1.71 /lb: Merlot, Cab Franc, Syrah, Cinsault California grapes. $1.49 to $1.71 /lb: Barbera, Cab Sauv, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Reisling, Sangiovese, Syrah, Old Vine Zin, Sauv Blanc, Muscat canelli, Pinot GrisI'm thinking of doing one 6 gal batch from grapes this year. It'll be my first batch from grapes, so I'm wondering if any types of wine are more difficult to make than others. Are the big, bold flavored ones like Zin "harder" than something like a Merlot?Also, wtf is Cinsault?

[MtnBrewer]

Also, wtf is Cinsault?

Minor red varietal grown in Languedoc (southern France). You rarely see it bottled as a varietal. It's usually blended with other varieties like Grenache. I'm not even sure I've ever had it (as a varietal, that is).I may be interested but I need to find out what my club is doing first.

[ANUSTART]

Group buy options?

Link.It doesnt look like there are any bulk discounts, but I wouldnt be surprised if strangebrewer could sweet talk them into giving a discount.If you wanted to risk it, you can wait until the grapes arrive and everyone's picked up their orders. If there are some left over, they will be on sale for very cheap. I think i remember 89 or 99¢/lb last year. I think strangebrewer may have even gotten some free grapes.Damnit... I just saw on their website that they're moving further north. Bastards! That's the wrong direction!

[ANUSTART]

Minor red varietal grown in Languedoc (southern France). You rarely see it bottled as a varietal. It's usually blended with other varieties like Grenache. I'm not even sure I've ever had it (as a varietal, that is).I may be interested but I need to find out what my club is doing first.

I've heard that Colorado Merlot is good, but nothing about the others. Have you tasted any wines made with CO grapes? I'm guessing they all come from Grand Junction.

[MtnBrewer]

I've heard that Colorado Merlot is good, but nothing about the others. Have you tasted any wines made with CO grapes? I'm guessing they all come from Grand Junction.

For the most part, yes. I went to the Winefest in GJ last year not expecting much. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Merlot is probably the dominant grape right now. Chardonnay is also popular. Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are up 'n' comers and some of the Riesling I tried last year was extremely good. I'm going again this year and I recommend checking it out sometime.

[ANUSTART]

For the most part, yes. I went to the Winefest in GJ last year not expecting much. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Merlot is probably the dominant grape right now. Chardonnay is also popular. Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are up 'n' comers and some of the Riesling I tried last year was extremely good. I'm going again this year and I recommend checking it out sometime.

:blush:We're tentatively doing a backpacking trip that weekend out near aspen. Maybe we can leave a day early and hit up the wine fest.

[MtnBrewer]

:blush:We're tentatively doing a backpacking trip that weekend out near aspen. Maybe we can leave a day early and hit up the wine fest.

Give me a call if you decide to do that. The main festival is Saturday but they have winery tours on Sunday and I'm planning to hit some of those too.

[strangebrewer]

The LHBS is moving further north but further north to somewhere with a REAL loading dock. Meaning I won't be spending a day unloading 36,000lbs of grapes off the back of a semi truck. There have only been a few times in my life have I awakened to every muscle in my body hurting, that was one of them. For that reason I'd say I got a discount on some of my grapes but as my Econ prof used to say "there is no such thing as a free lunch".This year I won't be going quite as crazy as I did last year so if there is interest in the area I'd be happy to lend a hand and lend out my basket press. I love grape season but with the house purchase looming on the horizon my brewing slush fund is running low.

[japh]

My LHBS also does an annual bulk grape purchase, but I haven't bit the bullet on trying out wines yet (plus I'd really want to do a local Pinot Noir)

[ANUSTART]

My LHBS also does an annual bulk grape purchase, but I haven't bit the bullet on trying out wines yet (plus I'd really want to do a local Pinot Noir)

Yours is much cheaper. Damn transportation costs.

[MtnBrewer]

At our club meeting last night we discussed a group buy for juice. We found a grower in GJ that will sell us juice at $100 for 6 gallons. This includes skins. He has 4 varietals: Merlot, Cab. Cauv., Syrah and Tempranillo. He will also do a Syrah/Tempranillo blend.

[strangebrewer]

At our club meeting last night we discussed a group buy for juice. We found a grower in GJ that will sell us juice at $100 for 6 gallons. This includes skins. He has 4 varietals: Merlot, Cab. Cauv., Syrah and Tempranillo. He will also do a Syrah/Tempranillo blend.

So is this a 6 gallon bucket filled with a combination of juice and skins? or a 6 gallon bucket of juice with a separate pack of skins to go with it?

[MtnBrewer]

So is this a 6 gallon bucket filled with a combination of juice and skins? or a 6 gallon bucket of juice with a separate pack of skins to go with it?

Closer to the latter. He said to bring 2 buckets for every order of 6 gallons. So it's a full 6 gallons of juice plus whatever skins that go along with it. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me (if the quality is good) but I'd like to hear your opinion.

[strangebrewer]

Closer to the latter. He said to bring 2 buckets for every order of 6 gallons. So it's a full 6 gallons of juice plus whatever skins that go along with it. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me (if the quality is good) but I'd like to hear your opinion.

If it's 6 gallons of juice and sinks in a 2nd bucket then that is a good deal. If it were a 6 gallon bucket filled to the top with crushed/destemmed grapes it would be about average.Quality always is the big question and that varies grower to grower and season to season. I haven't heard any horror stories out of CA growers this year so AFAIK it should be a good harvest. We should know more in the next couple weeks.