Wine time

We started 5 gallons of Niagara last week.  It's still in the primary fermenter but about ready to transfer.  Today Kathy started picking some Concords for juice.  They look very healthy and are ripening fast.  I never put bird netting on this year and had only a little damage.  The honey bees are all over the bird-pecked fruit.

2013 Harvest

Last week, I took the St. Croix, Frontenac and some of the De Chaunac and blended them.  They are in the primary now, looking and smelling good.  I love this stage of the wine.  This week I will harvest the rest of the Niagaras, which are looking pretty good though the birds are starting to get on them.  I did not put up bird nets this year--just too busy, too hot, (too lazy?)  I have enough already for 2 gallons and will get enough for two more gallons, the rest going into juice.  Concords, from which we'll make juice, are still pretty slow, though the red seedless Concord bore heavy, very clean bunches that we are still enjoying.