How to Work with Anciet Wine Grapes
Our Ancient Vine Wine Grapes come from one of the oldest grape growing regions, Madera County, CA. The grapes were planted close to 80-100 years ago and are being farmed by the 3rd and 4th generations. These are low production and low yield vineyards. They yield 2-4 tons/acre depending on the variety. These berries are small clusters with high concentration of phenols and color. Incredibly concentrated grapes which create a very concentrated and complex wine.
To see a video of our Ancient Alicante Vineyard click the play button below.
Our Suggested Ancient Vine Blend:
60% Alicante, 20% Muscat, 20% Grenache
pictured above – ancient vine Grenache
Yeast Suggestions: 71B, VRB, and D254.
- If you want to make a more fruit forward wine: 71B is a great yeast for fruit forward wines such as Grenache and Alicante. It helps bring out the fruity aromas Grenache and Alicante are known for.
- If you want to make a make a wine with a more balanced ratio of tannin to fruit: VRB yeast is a consistent fermenter that helps bring out the tannins while enhancing varietal characteristics.
- If want a wine with a balance of fruit and earth: D254 is a yeast that helps develops ripe fruit together with mild spiciness while increasing mouthfeel.
- *Please note that we always suggest using nutrients and putting your red wines through malo. Click the links below for more information on Musto Wine Grape’s Fermentation Protocols.
Ancient Grapes Available:
– Alicante
– Carignane
– Grenache
– Barbera
– Muscat
Fun Fact: For a grape to be considered an Ancient Vine it must be 75+ years old. To be considered an Old Vine it must be 35+ years old.
For more information on purchasing ancient vines grapes please give us a call at 877-812-1137 or sales@juicegrape.com.
Musto Wine Grape Harvest Update – Brix Levels, Harvest Dates, and Delivery Dates
Hello Winemakers,
We have a lot to update you on. But first and foremost – Our first loads of grapes will start to arrive the week of September 10th. Think white wine grapes such as Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Viognier, Muscat, Thompson Seedless, Barbera, and a few other early red varieties. Our first load of juice should be arriving around September 6th with limited varieties.
We are seeing Brix numbers creep up in every AVA.
Lodi: Zinderella Zinfandel should be picked around September 8th. They are currently at 18 Brix.
Suisun Valley: We are at about 16-18 Brix depending on the variety.
Central Valley: We are anywhere from 17-22 Brix depending on the variety.
Paso Robles: Pinot Noir is around 18.5 Brix.
Contra Costa: Aglianico is around 18.2 Brix
Washington State: The Pinot Noir is around 20 Brix and the other varieties are still going through verasion.
King’s River: Tempranillo is at 21 Brix.
For up to date/real time information please refer to our Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/MustoWineGrapeCoLLC/ or email cmusto@juicegrape.com with questions.
Interested in Juice?
We should have our full line of juice pails by September 10th. The Fresco juices and Italian juices are set to arrive in mid-October. We will keep in touch with those who have pre-ordered. Remember Fresco juices are pre-order only.
Classes – Seminars – Events
- Saturday September 8th at 9:00AM-4:00PM: Making Consistently Flawless Wine Seminarwith Daniel Pambianchi. In this seminar, you will learn the intricate interplay and management of oxygen, sulfur dioxide, and polyphenols, and clarification and stabilization techniques towards making greater wines more consistently and flawlessly. The seminar will also demonstrate how to measure and control oxygen and sulfur dioxide in wine.
- Saturday September 8th – 8:00AM-1:00PM: Customer Appreciation Day – Hello Winemakers! We hope you have enjoyed your summer. We are looking forward to getting back into the winemaking groove by hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday September 8th from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. The event will feature wine information from our growers in California and Farm to Table Appetizers. We hope to see you there to help us kick off the 2018 Harvest Season! Please RSVP to cmusto@juicegrape.com.
- Saturday September 15th at 10:00AM: Winemaking 101: Intro to Wine Making. This program primarily covers the basics necessary to understand the art and science of making wine. Students should leave the class with an overview of the winemaking process and prepared for a hands-on experience.
- Saturday September 22nd at 10:00AM: Winemaking 201: Winemaker Lab Skills: This program primarily covers laboratory skills needed in the art and science of making wine.
- Saturday October 13th at 9:00AM: Winemaker Bootcamp: You’ve asked for it and once again, we’ve responded. The only hands-on winemaking bootcamp in the area. No need to spend thousands. Musto Wine Grape Company is pleased to announce the start of a five week class for beginner winemakers in the art and science of making wines. This course offers each student the opportunity of experiencing hands-on winemaking and producing their own five gallons of wine by the end of the semester. In addition to actually making wines, the course will cover the science behind modern wine making and fermentation techniques including additives commonly used by commercial wineries throughout the wine making world. Classes will be about 3 hours each Saturday, starting at 9:00 am, in the offices and winemaking showrooms of Musto Winegrape Co, 101 Reserve Road, Hartford, CT, 06114.
Make sure to keep track of our blog posts and Harvest Tracker..
- Rich Soil + Cool Delta Breezes = Delicious Wines from Lodi’s Historic Vineyards
- Top 3 Vineyards for Pinot Noir
- Zinderella Old Vine Zinfandel – The Perfect Fit
- Working with Italian Wine Grapes
- Harvest Tracker – Harvest Menu
We are looking forward to working with you this fall. Get those crushers and fermentation vessels ready, harvest will be here before you know it!
Sincerely,
The Musto Crush Crew
Rich Soil + Cool Delta Breezes = Delicious Wines from Lodi’s Historic Vineyards
Did you know that the first wine grape in Lodi was planted in the 1800’s? Or that Lodi produces over 450 wine labels? 4th and 5th generation growers are taking their historic vineyards to new levels by introducing sustainable growing practices, planting interesting wine grape varietals, and producing block specific wines.
The Lodi AVA was created in 1986 and the farmers here have been growing and developing their winemaking and vineyard plantings ever since. With over 75 different grape varieties planted in Lodi, there is no shortage of interesting high quality grapes. According to the critics the top grapes coming out of Lodi are Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Rhone varietals, and Italian varietals. Many of the wineries in Lodi enjoy working with their grapes because they create wines that are complex, flavorful, and pair well with food. After all, wine was created to drink and enjoy with family and friends.
Musto Wine Grape is bringing in a diverse variety of grapes from Lodi this season. With a great price point and no shortage of options, Lodi is one of the most versatile and creative AVA’s for winemaking.
Winemaking Suggestions:
- Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
- Lodi Cabernet
- Lodi Petite Sirah
- Contra Costa Montelpuciano
- Contra Costa is an area in Lodi that has a very similar microclimate to Italy. Italian varietals flourish here and come out similar to those grown in Italy.
- D-254; Ripe red fruit, jam, and mild spicy flavors, alcohol tolerance of 16%
- VRB; Ripe fruit, jam, plum flavors, softens tannins, alcohol tolerance of 17%
- BM 45; Fruit jam, cherry liquor, sweet spice, and cedar flavors, alcohol tolerance of 15%
Wine Grapes/Wine Juices Available:
• Alicante
• Barbera
• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Carignane
• Grenache
• Malbec
• Merlot
• Mixed Black
• Petite Sirah
• Pinot Noir
• Ruby Cabernet
• Sangiovese
• Zinfandel
• Old Vine Zinfandel
• Valdepena
• Albarino
• Balck Muscat
• Chardonnay
• French Colombard
• Malvasia Bianca
• Muscat
• Pinot Grigio
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Thompson Seedless
• Viognier
• Aglianico
• Montelpulciano
• Nero D’Avola
• Sagrantino
• Mourvdere
Christina’s Top Wineries to Visit in Lodi:
- Mettler Family Vineyards: Check on some of our favorite Lodi grapes and enjoy delicious wines.
- Lodi Visitor’s Center: Where you can taste Zinderella!
- Michael & David Winery: A great representation of the Lodi Appellation
- Peltier Winery: Delicious, interesting, Lodi grape and wine varieties
If you are interested in Lodi grapes or juices please give us a call at 877-812-1137 or email us at sales@juicegrape.com to secure your order. Cheers to the 2018 Winemaking Season!
Zinderella Zinfandel – The Perfect Fit
“The time has come to find an Old Vine Zin that is the perfect fit for every occasion. With a deep red color that beautifully inundates the glass, this luxurious Zinfandel immediately captures your attention….”
Get excited Winemakers because Zinderella Zinfandel grapes are coming to the East Coast. The Zinderella wine was inspired by perseverance and invigorated by a willingness to never give up on a dream, Zinderella embodies so much more than just wine. From the heart of the esteemed Lodi Appellation, a land recognized as the Zinfandel Capitol of the World; only select Zinfandel grapes that have withstood the test of time have been chosen. With deep, rich Zin flavors, each bottle of Zinderella is an inspiration to follow our dreams and create memories.
Who else is excited to create their own version of Zinderella? I know we are! The Zinderella grapes are sourced from one of our oldest vineyards in Lodi. These grapes are over 35 years old, head pruned and ready to create some delicious wines. We suggest using the following yeasts when creating your perfect Zin.
Yeast Suggestions:
- CLOS: This yeast will ferment under tough conditions. It’s a great yeast if you don’t have good temperature control. It will help enhance aromatic structure and can handle a high alcohol tolerance (17%). CLOS helps highlight the intensity of the grape that comes with the vine’s age. Old head pruned Zinfandel vines produce some delicious and bold wines.
- RP-15: This yeast will help balance out the mouthfeel of your wine. If you are interested in a tempered Zinfandel then this will help bring out the bright red fruit characteristics along with mineral flavors. If you like your Zinfandel with a balance of fruit and earth this is the yeast for you. RP15 can handle higher Brix and will ferment up to 17% alcohol.
- VRB: Bring on the fruit bomb! VRB will help promote all of those fruit characteristics you love in your Zinfandel. Think ripe jam, plum, and raspberry; while softening tannins and rounding out around 17% alcohol. This yeast is great for those who want to create a bright and fruity Zin.
Zinderella going through verasion
Our grower Paul has a quick update for us regarding the Zinderella grapes, “As you can see veraison has already happened, and now the berries are ripening and coloring nicely. This year’s 2018 wine grape crop is shaping up nicely for us! Overall fruit sets are slightly lighter than last year, but as we know, with lighter crop sets, it increase expectations of enhanced flavors and better total quality.”
Give us a call at 877-812-1137 or shoot us an email at sales@juicegrape.com to set up your order for the fall!
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