Monday, January 23, 2012

The urban vineyard in winter



The mild winter makes me want to skip forward to pruning time in the urban vineyard. That time is really not all that far away, maybe a month, and slight bumps suggesting buds are already scattered along the sticks of the vines.

The first vintage (2010) from these St. Vincent could use a 1 percent shot of sugar and should be ready to drink. The 2011 is also coming along.

Last year, I acquired Norton and Chambourcin grapes from Michael and Sandy Dennis of Tyler Ridge Vineyard and Winery in northern Greene County. The Norton already has that rich fruit and spice character.

Norton is that variety that growers, seeking a truly American wine grape, have been developing for nearly 200 years. It's story is documented in the absorbing book, The Wild Vine, by Todd Kliman.

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