I took a barrel sample to Steele today for testing. Recently I added enough SO2 to have 30 ppm, for stability and preservation of the wine during aging. Typically, however, much of this is absorbed and so I was surprised to find that my SO2 levels are actually only at 8ppm, not 30ppm. I topped off with a bottle of Rosemont Grenache Shiraz this morning, but luckily there is a wee bit of room to add MORE sulfites this weekend. Today’s total stats:
SO2: 8ppm
pH:3.86
TA:0.86
VA:0.067
EtOH: 13.3%
A 2008 update: We have been experiencing frost almost nightly here for the last few weeks. Many of our vines are suffering with this constant attack of cold, just when the buds are beginning to break out and are at their most vulnerable to the weather. Even frost control measures can only go so far.
What will this mean? It is likely the winegrowers will depend on the later bud growths for their crop, which will push the harvest times later this year. Also, with a later harvest, the cooler Fall weather will keep the sugars lower, the acids higher and will also boost the flavor components. It should be a VERY interesting year for Lake County wines! So far, Walking Horse Ranch seems to have escaped the frost damage. The vines remained dormant and yesterday, I noticed the popcorn-like buds are breaking out. At this time of year, the buds that looked like little brown nubs on the vine, soften and take on a white fuzzy appearance, like popcorn. From that softened state, the first leaves and clusters emerge from the bud and these clusters are the main harvest. These are the buds our Lake County winegrowers are fightinig to save.
