Wade Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 We usually get a good crop of grapes each year - enough for about 5 gallons of wine. This year though has been a disappointment. Although we had what looked like being a bumper crop of grapes before the really hot weather set in, once the temperatures in the roof of the conservatory started reaching 50+ C (the maximum being 54 C !!!) a good proportion of the crop turned to raisins on the vine. We did manage to salvage a few though but probably not enough to even make a couple of bottles ?. We have just harvested about half of what we have left growing Still a few left on the vine to pick in a few weeks Vines love the heat but this year has just been too much OTT. Roll on 2019 - which will of course be a vintage year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 Having to console myself with a thimbleful of my Hibiscus wine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icefever Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 We have in the past had the pleasure of picking a 50 yd double vine up the allotments for free....but it does take so much time we didn't bother this year. Shame about the yield thou Wade...less bottle to lay down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 We have a reasonably sized vine across the back of our garden fence... Never sure what do do with it, with regards to trimming back, harvesting etc.... I know it needs to be supported better next year, as it fell down in the wind yesterday and I have had to strap it back up as a temp measure. Any suggestions @Wade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icefever Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Test the grapes with a refractometer and see how the sugar content is....if it's high enough, pick and make wine dude.. LOL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share Posted July 30, 2018 When they are ripe harvest them and extract the juice. If you have enough to make a gallon (5 litres) then go for it. If you have less than a gallon then you can top up your own juice with some supermarket "freshly pressed" grape juice. Before you add the yeast check the specific gravity of the juice and if necessary top it up to 1.070-1.100 with a little sugar. Using only all of your own juice would obviously be ideal but there is nothing wrong with supplementing it in lean cropping years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Excellent! I have a refractometer for testing the salt levels in my reef tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 I harvested some grapes yesterday, they came already bottled ? ? ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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