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Seyval and
Diamond
Sept 18, 2005
Dear winemakers,
Some of our vineyards have recovered from last year's agricultural disaster! We are thrilled that we have a normal crop of Seyval and Diamond! These varieties are two of our favorite whites.
The ripening and harvest is about 2 weeks early and these and other varieties are picked, pressed and in the tanks, waiting for pick up. I am posting availability online at http://www.fallbright.com/grapes.htm
so check there for updates. The catalog we mail indicates the first juices are available
September 24 and that is still correct, however, grape (whole) orders have had to be picked up early. We notify or whole grape buyers of this. Seyval is a French Hybrid that has become very
popular in the Finger Lakes! It is a most versatile juice for winemakers. It has a moderate acid and a high brix requiring little or no adjustment. If you use yeast such as EC-1118 or D-47 or
Pasteur Champagne, which result in a dry finish, it is sort of like a Poor Man's Chardonnay. Some of our winemakers use oak mor or oak chips or age it in a barrel. It can be made with 71B-1122 for a
more fruity style, nearly dry. This wine is also very nice made with Cotes des Blanc, which is a sensitive yeast and tends to get stuck. We recommend this yeast for sweet finishes. Several commercial
wineries use Cotes Des Blanc for a fruity, sweeter Seyval. The fruitiness of Seyval is very subtle, not like the fruitiness of Niagara, which is more
in your face.
Tom also uses Seyval as a main component of our White Blend.
Diamond is a native variety that smells and taste like pineapple juice when it is fresh. It is a popular drinking juice among our customers. It tends to have a moderate to low acid and a moderate
(18-20) brix. We like to finish it sweet to bring out the fruit. Cotes des Blanc is the yeast of choice for most of our winemakers making Diamond. Diamond is a very old variety that is gaining
in popularity. At the Commercial Riverside International Competition in CA this summer, the Goose Watch (Seneca Lake) Diamond was voted "Best of Show White Wine" ahead of over 1,000 other
white wines from throughout the world including popular varieties like chardonnay,
Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The sponsors and most of the participating wineries must have been shocked and amazed
when the best of show was announced.
Anyway, our Diamond is back!
If you come to the shop to pick up juice or grapes, bring your container or buy one at the shop. We have a full line of supplies.
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