Bud Break in Chile
While we were busy crushing and pressing in the fall, our Chilean vineyards were going through bud break.
Bud break is the start of the grape vine’s annual cycle. Bud break is a relaxing time in the vine’s life as long as they don’t experience any intense weather occurrences, such as frost. Frost can kill the buds or delay their growth.
This season Chile had a some cold weather come through the vineyards. Thankfully our vineyards were able to keep the vines protected and did not have any frost damage. Take a look at the bud break in our Chilean vineyards and get a sneak peak at the harvest ahead.
Bud Break in Chile – October 2019
Grapes Available: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah
Juices Available: Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet/Merlot Blend, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier
Fresco Juices Available: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay/Semillon Blend
For more information on making wine, please visit our website at www.juicegrape.com and our Facebook Page for real time harvest updates. Our Chilean wine grapes arrive in late-April and early-May. If you are interested in making an order please email sales@juicegrape.com or give us a call at 877-812-1137 to discuss this season’s harvest.
2018 Chilean Harvest Update
This year’s growing season should produce some intense and complex wines!
We are very excited and fortunate to be sourcing our Chilean grapes and juices from the “Heart of the Chilean Wine Industry” known as the Curico Valley. Curico has been a wine grape growing region since the 1800s. With its fertile soil, microclimates, and the ability to grow over 30 different wine grape varieties, it’s no wonder this prestigious region is considered the heart of the wine industry.
Soil Content: Sand, clay, decomposed granite, and volcanic-alluvial.
The second region we will be sourcing from is the Colchagua Valley. The Colchagua Valley is known for growing bold red wines, such as Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. It has a mediterranean climate and is located along the southern end of the Rapel Valley. This topography creates a climate that receives around 23.3 inches of rainfall per year and little to no rainfall during their summer months. This helps keep the grapes safe close to harvest and ensures that the grapes are fighting for water therefore creating a more intense fruit.
Soil Content: Sand, decomposed granite, and clay
This year’s harvest has gotten off to a great start. The white grapes are coming off the vine and will be in transit soon. Our early red grapes such as Pinot Noir and Merlot will start harvesting around March 30th.
Arrival Dates: White grapes should arrive around the last week in April and the red grapes should start to arrive around the first week in May. Get your crushers ready!
Grapes Still Available: Carmenere, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier
Sold Out: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah
Fresco Juices Available: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay/Semillon Blend
Yeast suggestions for the following grapes via Manuela Astaburuaga
Yeast suggestions for the following grapes via Manuela Astaburuaga. Manuela is the enologist at “Correa Albano” and has studied in both France and New Zealand. Her family also owns many of the vineyards we source from.
- Sauvignon Blanc – For the SB the most important thing is the yeast that express the thiols aromas. Try VIN13 to bring out such thiol aromas like tropical fruits.
- Carmenere & Merlot – Try a yeast that expresses the black fruits like CSM
- Cabernet Sauvignon –You want the fruit and earthiness to shine. Try D254, BM4X4, or CSM. Maybe think about blending yeasts for more complexity!
- Pinot noir – RC 212 is one of the best yeasts for Pinot Noir.
Manuela’s Favorite Blend: Merlot-Carmenere
Why does Sauvignon Blanc wine taste so good from Chile? (According to Manuela)
- “The different temperature between day and night is very important to the aroma expression, we have that kind of climate in our Valley (Curicó) so our SB is very aromatic and with a good acidity. We ferment at 58-50ºF to preserve the aromas.”
Want to take a Walk through our Chilean Vineyards?
Take a walk through our Chilean Vineyards by clicking the link below.
Harvest will be here before you know it. White Grapes will start arriving in late April and Red Grapes will start arriving in Early May. See below for the list of grapes and juices we will have available this Spring.
Carmenere
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Merlot
Petite Verdot,
Pinot Noir
Syrah,
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
Carmenere
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet/Merlot Blend
Malbec
Merlot
Petite Verdot
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmenere
Merlot
Malbec
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
Chardonnay/Semillon Blend
Give us a call at 877.812.1137 for more details about the Spring Harvest. Or email us at sales@juicegrape.com
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