Hello,
We purchased property this year that has established Marechal Foch wine grapes and Aronia berries for blending to make a wine. The problem is, we do not currently know how to make wine or have the proper equipment. I am posting here in hopes that I can find someone who currently makes wine who might be interested in helping turn these beautiful plants into wine this year.
If you know anyone who might be interested- please reach out. I would hate to see these grapes go to waste this year.
Thank you.
I like that you created a "theme' for your wines. I have tended to make a different looking label for each wine I make. Favorite label is the Polyester material. Very nice, strong, durable, and peels off in one piece. I noticed your Skeeter Pee...I also make it and have to say it may overall be the most popular with friends. (I joined the forum so that I can get a $5 discount, ha ha)
Good luck making wine. I have been making wine for about 13 seasons/years. Marechal Foch is a somewhat unique grape in that it is a hybrid and not pure vinifera. The taste isn't bad for a hybrid but does is different. The good news is that most hybrids are easier to raise and require less "chemicals" -in particular to keep powdery mildew under control. I buy all my grapes because raising grapes for wine is a pain. I have some pinot vines for fun but the powdery mildew is terrible due to lack of wind by the vines. But it can make great wine. You might see if you can pick up a bottle.
Aronia would be interesting but because it is a fruit wine you have to approach it differently. Typically you have to add sugar or ferment with ripe grapes in order to ferment (grapes have loads of natural sugar). Fermenting them separately could be a pain, but then you would get an idea of what each taste like and you could define the ratio.
I was a judge at the state fair and we tasted a lot of very interesting and cool wines. I learned a lot about wine making from the local Portland area winemakers club. It meets at the Aloha Grange the 3rd Wednesday of most months. If interested send a note to the President to confirm the meeting time and place. There is also a resource page:
https://portlandwinemakersclub.com/
One of the best sites I have found for non-grape wine making is Jack Keller's site. Below I have a link to the recipe page although there is a lot of great data throughout:
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
John S
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