virtualvintner - Tumblr blog

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Punch Downs Skins rise to the top of the tank during fermentation and form a cap. But the juice needs to stay in contact with the grape skins to begin building the color and structure of the wine. That’s why we gently “punch down” the cap into the juice.

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How many grapes does Elizabeth eat? She’s tasting for complex flavors in the grapes, but also tastes the seeds, which change from green to brown as they ripen, and develop a biscuity flavor.

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Welcome to La Crema!

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From 2012, La Crema Enologist, Shane Moore walks us through goings-on at the Crushpad.

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Ever wonder about the path it takes to become a winemaker? La Crema Winemaker Elizabeth Grant-Douglas shares her own journey. From her first exposure to the winemaking process to her early career and eventual position at La Crema. - http://blog.lacrema.com/words-winemaker-shares-viticulture-journey/

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Pinot Gris is picked at night in our Monterey vineyards. This delicate grape needs cool temperatures and special handling.

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Foggy morning in the Russian River Valley

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Chardonnay grapes await harvest. Legend says eighth century Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne noticed snow melted earlier on a particular slope of Burgundy’s Corton Hill, so he directed wine grapes be planted there. Today, that Corton-Charlemagne vineyard produces acclaimed Chardonnay.

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Pinot Noir grapes from the Laughlin Vineyard await their journey to the Crushpad, where harvested grapes begin the winemaking process.

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Harvest at the Laughlin Vineyard began on Sept. 3. The vineyard surrounds the winery and is visible from our winemaker's office. Some of these grapes will go into the community-created Virtual Vintner Pinot Noir.

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Elizabeth Grant-Douglas shares her method for "calling the pick."

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Brix is a measurement of sugar content in the grape. Generally, grapes are harvested between 21-25 Brix, but you can’t go on numbers alone. It all depends on the particular year, vineyard, winemaker’s style.

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Laughlin was the winning vineyard in voting:  53% to 47%.

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Even within the Russian River Valley, there are variations in individual vineyards that impact the final wine. Explore the Piner and Laughlin vineyards.

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Laughlin Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Pinot Noir from Laughlin is elegant, featuring pretty red fruit like raspberries and sweet spice.

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Piner Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Pinot from Piner is intense, offering dark fruit like cherries along with cola and espresso notes.