The French use the term élévage with reference to both wine and children! It translates to “A good upbringing” or “Being well raised”.
The first and only press for Vintage 2015 is done and dusted! The WINE DECODED Bathtub Winemaking Cabernet was squished a few weeks ago, after 24 days on skins. The perfume and earthiness I was looking for have arrived. The texture has lengthened, developed beautifully and is looking good.
Fermentation is winding down & it’s time to get our oak barrels ready to fill.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a new French oak barrel.
We’re still focusing on tannin for the WINE DECODED Bathtub Winemaking Project. This time it’s all about giant teabags … full of stalks, not, tea! Just like the seeds stalks contain tannins, flavours and aromas that we want to guide and layer into the wine. Check the “teabags” and a detailed walk through steep the biggest teabag you’ll ever see in the video.
Bathtub Winemaking Project Day 5 – Working on Tannin!
Today’s one of the peak days during fermentation. Where about half way through now. The yeast are moving fast, sugar is dropping quickly, heat is being generated and alcohol levels increasing. It’s time to focus on tannin. This video explores some of the tannin management I’m doing this year taking a look at skins, seeds and stalks.
Beautiful day to pick our Cabernet for the WINE DECODED Bathtub Winemaking Project! We’ll be posting regular updates taking you through the winemaking process step by step for Vintage 2015.
Vintage is almost upon us! The first grapes for the WINE DECODED Bathtub Winemaking Project are about to be picked!