tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648577586482081934.post7509768721744923675..comments2023-05-17T03:37:07.182-07:00Comments on Adventures on Home Hill Farm: Chardonnay DayJohnandJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06506275036086045557noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648577586482081934.post-9905889071268516712014-01-16T23:33:35.016-08:002014-01-16T23:33:35.016-08:00De-stemming is a big topic. Stems add harsh tannin...De-stemming is a big topic. Stems add harsh tannins to the wine. But in some years where fruit is very ripe a little harshness balances. So typically we put in some stems by leaving aside really nice bunches whole. The % you add varies from zero to 50%. It is a bit of a gut feel thing. We have a crusher/de-stemmer which does the work. It is pictured in the blog. All wineries have these machines in various sizes. Yes the old rustic way to make wine was to leave all the stems and use the feet to crush the berries. The wines were very tannic and bitter but it can become an acquired taste. Your feet will smell and taste nice after the stomping.<br /><br />The word is weaners with and 'n' and refers to calves just off their mothers milk after 12 months you can start to refer to them as yearlings. Just another vernacularism. It varies from country to country and within countries.<br /><br />Thanks for taking an interest. Always happy to respond to queries. Sometimes the blog is done in haste and may not always be thoroughly clear. Your input helps to bring clarity.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JohnJohnandJeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506275036086045557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648577586482081934.post-66867158277869206642014-01-16T13:42:45.923-08:002014-01-16T13:42:45.923-08:00Question - why do you de-stem the grapes as I doub...Question - why do you de-stem the grapes as I doubt that with thousands of hectares in France and other wine producing countries they would have the time or patience? Or do they have a machine to do it? I thought in the villages they put the grapes, stalks and all, in a big tub, removed their shoes and socks and got in there with their bare (smelly?) feet.<br /><br />What are "wearers"? Little pigs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com