WiredJC Wine Making

[Pinky]

We could do the 25th or 26th.

I'm good for either day.

[Neeners]

We could do the 25th or 26th.

[bdlaw]

Ha ha ha this is about the time everyone turns on AG.

[RB]

Is this project dead? Looks like there's still a few nights available for a tasting next week. Any of the weeknight options should work for me.

[skwirrlking]

Here are the grape options:

Red Grapes

Barbera

Semi-classic grape commonly grown in the Piedmont region and most of northern Italy; was probably imported into the U.S.A. late in the 19th century. Usually produces an intense red wine with deep color, low tannins and high acid and is used in California to provide "backbone" for so-called "jug" wines. Plantings in North America are mostly confined to the warm western coastal regions.

Brunello

The Sangiovese Grosso clone Brunello  isolated in the mid 19th century in Montclair, Tuscany. Variety is used for the dark red, traditionally powerful and slow-maturing "Brunello di Montalcino" wine. If you like a darker wine, we suggest you blend with Petite Sirah or Syrah. Longer aging produces a much softer & smoother wine. A good choice as a Reserve Wine.

Cabernet Franc

Bordeaux wines commonly contain a blend of both Cabernet varietals wines as well as Merlot, a practice increasingly being followed in California and elsewhere. Wine from these grapes can be fermented to many varietals styles, drunk young or aged, having a deep purple color and herbaceous aroma when young. As with Cabernet Sauvignon, growth in North American is mainly confined to the cooler coastal regions; the U.S. Northeast and the Pacific Northwest proving to have hospitable climates. New Zealand has also shown itself to be a potential good home.

Cabernet Sauvignon

A "noble" grape famous as one of the main varieties, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and others used to create the magnificent French Bordeaux region blended red wines. This varietal grape produces a dry red wine. Aromas and flavors include: Black-currant, blackberry, mint (etc).

Merlot

Classic grape widely grown in the Bordeaux region of France and elsewhere.  The red wine bears a resemblance to Cabernet Sauvignon wine, with which it is sometimes blended, but is usually not so intense, with softer tannins.

Petite Sirah

They produce dark red, tannic wines in the warmer regions of California, used mainly as backbone for Central Valley "jug" wines. In the cooler northern regions, where many very old vines still exist, it is often made into a robust, balanced red wine of considerable popularity.

Pinot Noir

The premier grape "cépage" of the Burgundy region of France, producing a red wine that is lighter in color than the Bordeaux reds (such as the Cabernet's or Merlot). Cherished aromas and flavors often detected in varietal wines include cherry, mint, raspberry, truffles and the ubiquitous gamey odor in new wines often referred to as "animalé" by the French winemaker.

Ruby Cabernet

Red-wine grape cross originating from Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon parentage. Bred for use in the hot San Joaquin Valley region of California. Produces a dry, deep red fruity table wine that is perfect for meals with red meat.

Sangiovese

Used to produce the Chianti and other Tuscan red wines. Produces medium-bodied reds with rich cherry or plum like flavors and aromas. The California grape has been lighter in color and harder to make. We suggest t blending with Zinfandel or Cabernet.

Syrah

A grape variety associated with the Rhone Valley region of France, makes full-bodied tannin red wine. Make it straight or use it in a blend.

Old Vine Zinfandel

50 year old vines, grown in California and used to produce robust red wine as well as very popular "blush wines" called "white Zinfandel". Zinfandel is noted for the fruit-laden, berry-like aroma and prickly taste characteristics in its red version and pleasant strawberry reminders when made into a "blush" wine


White Grapes

Chardonnay

Yields a full-bodied, moderately acidic, dry austere wine possessing a fruity character (e.g.: Apple, lemon, citrus) subsequent barrel-influenced flavors include "oak", "vanilla", and malolactic fermentation imparted "creamy- buttery" components.

Chenin Blanc

Although naturally a hard, acidic grape slow to mature, is made into fine sweet wines that age well in the bottle. In the U.S. the grape all too often ends up in the generic jug wines of bulk producers as acidity enhancer for otherwise flabby high sugar/alcohol blends.

Pinot Grigio

French for "gray” refers to grayish hue of the grape. The variety can create crisp, dry wines with good acid "bite".

Sauvignon Blanc

Shows a tendency towards a grassy, herbaceous flavor in the grapewine, often referred to by professional tasters as "gooseberry".

[nikki]

I'm good on these days:

Wed. June 25th 6-9pm
Thur. June 26th 6-9pm
Sat. June 28th 11am-4pm

[TheBadGuyWins]

The following dates are available to tour the facility:

Wed. June 11th 6-9pm
Sat. June 14th 12pm-
Wed. June 18th 6-9pm
Wed. June 25th 6-9pm
Thur. June 26th 6-9pm
Sat. June 28th 11am-4pm

Grape lists are available at: http://www.makewinewithus.com 

Final pricing: Higher this year, about 12-13 per bottle. Quarter Barrell = 60 bottles.

Of these dates, let's coordinate when most of us can make it. I'll most likely go to more than one, so let's get the show on the road. I'll need to know who is DEFINATELY in before we order the grapes in August.

[skwirrlking]

so is there a date set?

[jcpeace]

my june schedule is F'ed...actually my whole schedule 'till next spring is pretty bad , but i still wanna be involved in this. please keep me in the loop

[TheBadGuyWins]

I'm going to get a grape list. Those of us that cannot make it to a tasting should seriously go there on the 7th. If not, simply pick a type of wine off the list based on your particular tastes. We'll figure it out from there. I'll post it here once I have it.

[Neeners]

We can't do the 19th.

[nikki]

June 19th is good for me.

[bdlaw]

It's entirely possible I haven't had enough coffee yet but is there a grape list?

Should we make a WiredJC Meritage 2008?

[TheBadGuyWins]

Weekends seem to be difficult. On the 7th, there is still the tasting from 2-5 pm. Its open to the public. I recommend it to anyone who wants to participate, but has a tight upcoming schedule. I'm told the price per bottle comes out to be about 10 to 11 bucks, depending on the type of grape (Pinot Noir will obviously be higher than Syrah, for example). We can make as much or as little as we want. We make it, bottle it, name it & label it (oh, and then DRINK IT at your favorite BYOB restaurant). Anyone who knows their wine, but can't make it to a tasting....just pick what you want to make and let me know. It'll come down to a vote.

Now.....what does everyone think about Thursday the 19th at 7pm (if I can schedule that time). Friday night is no good. jc_insom, we'll get you in there, don't worry! +1 on the Indian Food, RB!

[jc_insomniac]

Hey, if it's not too late, and if the price is reasonable, count me in!

I can do any weekend evening except June 19-22 (wedding in Sta Barbara) and 4th of July weekend (Montreal jazz fest).

Any idea how many people are currently in, and approximate price per bottle?

[CeeDub]

Friday nights are meant for lighting candles and praying over wine.  And spicy food to generate the heat for fulfilling other duties . . .

[RB]

damn it all to hell.......what about the 20th in the evening? Or early July? The grapes get ordered in August, so lets figure it out, people!

The 20th (Friday) in the evening works for us. I'd be down for tastings followed by Indian food and beer at Rasoi up the street!

[bdlaw]

Sorry that I missed the earlier bumps on this thread.

As noted I am totally down for this- but my weekends are pretty full until later in the month.

[TheBadGuyWins]

  damn it all to hell.......what about the 20th in the evening? Or early July? The grapes get ordered in August, so lets figure it out, people!

[RB]

JUNE 28th..........I can schedule a private WiredJC tasting, if enough of us are serious about this. RSVP, bitches! Probably in the afternoon, around 2pm. I'm open to suggestions. WHO'S IN?

Can't do the 28th - have to go to my fiancee's family reunion  . Busy month for us, though the 21st would have worked.

If there's another chance for a tasting, please let us know. Otherwise I might be willing to defer to some of your opinions on the tasting. 

[Pinky]

We can't do the 28th.  I thought we had said the 21st?  Oh well.  Have fun!

Hey it was the 21st.....what happened?

[Neeners]

We can't do the 28th.  I thought we had said the 21st?  Oh well.  Have fun!

[TheBadGuyWins]

JUNE 28th..........I can schedule a private WiredJC tasting, if enough of us are serious about this. RSVP, bitches! Probably in the afternoon, around 2pm. I'm open to suggestions. WHO'S IN?

[bdlaw]

Too bad there's already a Grove Street winery (California- not a bad Cabernet).

[skwirrlking]

okay. The Califonian grapes get ordered toward the end of August (Harvest Kick-off Party). One barrel should yield about 252 bottles.

i vote albarino grape.