That makes sense. I think I will try it. Since it's a dessert wine, there is a finishing additive after fermentation so adding a bit of water to the port base should not significantly affect the taste. Jalapeno wine huh. Now that sounds intriguing. Hope it turns out well 👍. Thanks for the help.
Just started my RJS Black Forest Dessert Wine last week. Can't get it to ferment. I've tried everything, Added Carlson yeast nutrient, racked and then added new yeast. Still nothing, just a small amount of foam on the top. Starting SG was 1.120. Checked it when I racked and it was just under...
Thanks Dennis. Yes, I read earlier in your post that you rotate to keep fungus from adapting. Looks like Immunox and Captan are your recommendations. Very good information.
Thanks for the info. I have not looked into Itasca. I will do so. Also interesting concept of growing new vines next to old and then cutting old vines after new ones mature. Will the new vines roots contend with the old? I don't know a lot about grape rooting systems but if they are anything...
I've been following this thread since it's start in April. Just wanted to thank all of you for the info. I had a major problem with black rot last year. I think weather conditions were a factor but I also learned much about pruning to make sure I get good air flow. This year my vines (5 year old...
This is an interesting discussion. I have 4 Frontenac and 4 Frontenac Gris. They are now 5 years old. At the time I started, Marquette were not readily avalialble. I've made both a red from the Frontenac and a white from the Frontenac Gris. I've tried blending with different concentrates. The...
Just be careful not to make drastic adjustments. Again weather conditions play a role. And from what I've read, grapevines being perennials develop memories from previous growing seasons which carry forward to the next season. So some of the activity in the current growing season may be due to...
What I know of fruit size is covered under a topic called fruit set. It is the process when the flowers turn to fruit and there are several factors that contribute to/affect this process. Water is certainly one but there are many others. Here is a link to a description of the process and...
Yes, I understand your frustration but don't lose hope. One thing I've learned and any farmer will tell you is that with any growing venture, there's only so much you can control and the rest is up to the plant and the weather. Two years ago we had a late frost at the end of May. I have a small...
Thanks Kevin. I think this will turn out the same way as yours did. Kinda of wondering what causes this though. It's almost like the vines are confused as to what phase of fruit bearing they are in. I wonder if varying intensities of winter and spring weather conditions have anything to do with...
Two of my Frontenac vines have popped out new grape clusters this past week. Does anyone know much about this topic. I don't know that there is enough growing season left for them to mature and ripen. This happened last year on my Frontenac Gris but it was much later (mid August) and it was only...
I've been doing a bit of research on black rot. The biggest preventative seems to be proper vineyard management. That being pruning discipline and managing moisture and surrounding soil etc. The fungus explodes and spreads in hot moist conditions and is most damaging during bud break when vines...
Hi Sue,
If Google Maps is showing me the correct location in your profile, you are in Wisconsin in my neck of the woods. I've lost some of my grapes this year to Black Rot. I've got four year old vines and this is the first year that this has happened. Black Rot will turn your grapes into...
Interesting. I was thinking about dried apricot as some descriptions of the grape includes apricot flavor. Here is the description from the University of Minnesota where they were developed - "Vigorous and very disease resistant. Wine has a characteristic peach flavor. Can be high in acidity."
Thanks. Yes, I discovered Sevin a couple of years ago when JB's first started invading and keep it on hand now. I did research on the little buggers and found out that they lay eggs in the ground and then grubs hatch and emerge into beetles. So I did a milky spore treatment just to kill whatever...