Fall Bright, The Winemakers Shoppe, 10110 Hyatt Hill, Dundee, NY 14837
HOURS: We are open all year round!  We have always been closed on Mondays.

November to May 31: Tues-Fri:  10-5  Eastern Time   Weekends (Saturday or Sunday) by appointment 607-292-3995 
June to harvest  Tues-Fri : 10-5  Saturday 10-4    Eastern Time 

Harvest (Sept-Oct):  Tuesday to Sunday 10-5 Eastern Time

                  

Free catalog, mail order of supplies but not grapes and juices.

April 25, 2007

Merlot is a versatile red vinifera grape. When lightly pressed the juice is a faint pink and can make a white or rose wine. Fermented on the skins, it becomes an aromatic full bodied wine with hints of chocolate and black cherries, raspberry, strawberries, and vanilla with soft tannins. Oak it, age it, drink it young. Merlot is traditionally blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. As a varietal it has a softer, less tannic finish than the cabs. This rich, opulent wine is perfect with grilled foods, and in particular will bring out the best in duck and lamb. Some of our winemakers finish it sweet. This is a personal preference....

We do not grow our own Merlot. It is not recommended for any but the most favored sites in New York. It is very susceptible to diseases including crown gall and is very cold climate tender. However, we do buy Finger Lakes Merlot from one of the best sites on Seneca Lake. It ripens in early October. Due to the most recent agricultural NY disaster of 2004-2005, we were without Merlot for a short time. However, we had it in the catalog last year. With a modest increase in price and the previous years shortage, there were very few winemakers ordering Merlot. Tom lightly pressed the balance of our lot and blended it with about 20% Chardonnay and created the Eye of the Pa'tridge. It was a faint rose in color and has probably finished as a white wine.

We generally sell Merlot as a grape only and do not see a change in that policy. We will list Merlot this year in the 2007-2008 catalog, but reserve the right to cancel our order and yours due to a lack of interest. Your comments and feed back will be appreciated. Due to the perishable nature of our produce, we are not able to ship our grapes or juices.

When making wine at Fall Bright, YOU are the winemaker! We basically provide the amateur winemaker with the grapes or grape juices and winemaking supplies and know-how to make his own wine. Check out our website, www.fallbright.com for information and online shopping. Call the shop at 607-292-3995. Our shop staff make wine and can answer your questions. Tom is our most advanced winemaker and we take your advance winemaking problems to him. If Tom nor I are available Luci, our shop manager, has taken several awards at the NY State Fair Home Winemaking Competition over the years and can answer your questions. We are open Tuesday to Friday 10-5 and weekends by arrangement. May Your Wines Fall Bright! Marcy Mitchell

 

 
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Fall Bright, The Winemakers Shoppe    Tom and Marcy Mitchell
10110 Hyatt Hill    Dundee, NY  14837
Phone: 607-292-3995       E-mail :winemaking@fallbright.com 
Some pictures complements of Steve Shanker    Steve Shanker's Winemaking Lesson site

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Copyright  2000 Fall Bright  All rights reserved.
Revised: August 22, 2010