Monday, September 1, 2008

Crop Outlook for 2008:

Taylor Ridge Vineyards Aug. 22, 2008
3843 105th Ave. cell: 269-491-1512
Allegan, MI 49010 home: 269-521-4047
bctaylor@btc-bci.com
New Web Site: www.taylorridgevineyard.com Come check us out!!!

Volume Discount: 2% for 40 gallons or more; 6% for 100 gallons or more.

Early Order Discount: Orders received by Sept.3- 3%

Supplies: We continue to stock basic wine supplies: yeast, sulfite, bubblers, carboys, hydrometers, various corks and closures, and winemaking books, 5 gal. plastic transporter jugs

Vineyard Management: In order to assure the best quality grapes, we do considerable hand labor including combing and removing leaves. We are also burying all vinifera vines during the winter, which assures their survival during bitter winters. Our grapes are hand-picked, crushed, pressed and immediately chilled to 35 degrees. This cold stabilization process acts as a natural filter and removes much of the sediment.

Crop Outlook for 2008:
Southwestern Michigan experienced a 27 degree frost in late April. The Concord and Niagara crop was reduced by about 40%. Most of the wine grape varieties recovered and have full crops with a few exceptions. The Foch crop was reduced by half and the Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc crops are down about 35%. Most other varieties have full crops.
Beginning harvest dates will commence about 7-10 days later than last year. The harvest of grapes like Foch, Seyval and Lacrosse will probably occur between September 10 and September 22nd. The mid season will start about September 20th. Reliance could be harvested earlier. In fact, we may harvest it shortly after Labor Day. If you want Reliance, let me know as soon as possible. We can hold it for you in our cooler. Late varieties like Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc will not be harvested until late September or early October. We have had excellent weather the past two weeks with consistent warmth and little rain. This bodes well for the quality of the harvest and compensates for the cooler early summer weather.
We have constructed another deer fence so that 2/3 of our vineyard is now protected. New plantings this year include more Marquette, Valvin Muscat, Lemberger and Frontenac Gris.

Ordering

When you have decided what you would like to order, either call or e-mail us. We will then let you know when your order is ready. Remember that you must supply your own containers unless you let
us know that you need to buy carboys or transporter containers from us. Please be sure to confirm that your order is ready by calling us before driving here.
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Red Varieties
Price per gallon
Price/pound picked
Foch
$7.80
.63
Dechaunac
$6.80
.48
Frontenac
$7.40
.53
Cabernet Franc
$12.80
.1.15
Red Blend
$6.55

Noiret (NY 73)
$9.50
.69
Concord
$6.50
.43
Leon Millot
$7.80
.62
Landot 4511
$7.59
.53
Chambourcin
$7.80
.62
GR7
$7.00
.50

White Varieties


LaCrosse
$6.80

Seyval Blanc
$7.30

Chardonnel
$7.50

Chardonnay
$12.30

White Blend
$6.50

St. Pepin
$8.00

Reliance
$6.65

Traminette
$8.00

Niagara
$6.50

Muscat Ottonel
$14.00

Espirit
$7.00

Vignoles
$8.50


Grape Varieties
Red Varieties

Cabernet Franc: Produces an aromatic red wine that is softer than Cabernet Sauvignon. A vinifera variety used as one of the grapes in Red Bordeaux.
Chambourcin: Makes a good red but also makes a good blush wine. It ages well.
Concord: One of the oldest American varieties. It makes a strong flavored foxy wine, which is sometimes made dry but usually sweet.
Dechaunac: Makes a wine reminiscent of some Italian wines.
Foch: Produces a fruity red table wine with a distinctive varietal flavor. Good acid: sugar balance.
Frontenac: Produces a full bodied wine which is especially good for blending with Dechaunac or Foch.
GR-7 Another New York State Hybrid. It makes darker red wines and it has a good tannin structure.
Landot 4511: Reminiscent of Beaujolais. Similar to Foch in ripening.
Leon Millot: This wine has a distinct berry aroma. It is a sister variety of Foch.
Noiret: Produces wine with notes of green and black pepper and raspberry. Good tannin.

White Varieties
Cayuga White: Can be made either into a semi-sweet wine emphasizing its fruity aromas or dry for a less fruity wine. Wines are pleasant and Germanic in style.
Chardonnel: This grape is a cross of Seyval and Chardonnay with hints of Chardonnay character.
Chardonnay: The premier French white wine grape, which is used in making Chablis or white burgundy. It is also a part of the champagne blend in France.
Espirit: Wine has a mildly fruity flavor.
LaCrosse: This is a versatile wine grape, which can be made dry but also makes a good semi dry wine. Wine has good body and can improve body of lighter wines.
Muscat Ottonel: A true European Muscat grape that can make a rich dessert wine.
Niagara: A floral wine with a unique flavor. One of the oldest American varieties, it is also used in American champagnes.
Reliance: Produces high sugars and makes a rich tasting wine.
Seyval: This grape is the mainstay of the hybrid white wines in Michigan. It can be made dry or semi-sweet and blends well with LaCrosse.
St. Pepin: This grape is a hybrid of Seyval and makes an excellent sweet wine.
Traminette: A Gewürztraminer hybrid wine having a spicy quality reminiscent of the Gewürztraminer parent.
Vignoles: Makes either a dry or slightly sweet wine. Has a distinct varietal flavor.

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