On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 08:29:44 -0500, Art Schubert
> wrote:

>On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 07:52:05 +0100, Mike Tommasi >
>wrote:

>>Underripeness in the fruit, yes, but in particular I would say
>>underripeness of the stems. Sometimes the fruit is ripe but the stems
>>are green, so if you do not destem there will be very hard tannins,
>>but even after destemming the seeds will also impart that greenness.
>>
>>Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France
>>email link http://www.tommasi.org/mymail
>
>Very good. I have been de-stemming mine and trying to be especially
>gentle with the seeds. We shall see.
>
>Just a small follow-on. From the producer's web site: "Not a 'wimpy'
>Pinot, this richly balanced wine has structure, backbone and muscle."
>
>Don't creatures with lots of backbone and muscle tend to bite you?

Not necessarily. Think more human and less animal. I like folks with
strength and backbone, while conversely I have little respect for
those who can't stand up for themselves or principles--get the
metaphor?

Ravenswood's motto for years has been "no wimpy wines", and although
they don't always achieve it (in my opinion) it certainly is a
commendable goal.
>
>I suppose once you have made a bunch of it you have to find a way to
>convince people to buy it, regardless of its quality. Sad.
>
>Art Schubert
>Traverse City, Michigan

Ahhh, now we begin to fulfill the picture. Your comments following
response to the initial question seem to indicate that you are seeking
to produce and you've gotten the "hard and angular" relating to your
product???

If so, your location is going to give you an uphill climb. You're on
the "lake effect" side of the "big sea water" and that can mean early
winters and late springs which translates into short growing seasons.
The Lake certainly tempers your climate, but a good season is going to
be more rare than in a lot of places.

But, if you persist, you can probably make reasonable wine--consider
the broad range of latitudes, altitudes, soils, etc. that have all
produced good wine.

To convince people to buy it, however, takes some marketing. That
might mean "loss leaders", advertising, competitions (and wins),
tasting events, wine shop promotions, years of consistency, etc. It's
a cliche that "overnight sensations" don't happen overnight. Good
luck.

And, the bill for consulting will arrive at the end of the month.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com