|
Secrets from the Cellar
Greetings!
Charlie Smith from Smith-Madrone tells all...
Last week I drove a load of new Marchive barrels up to
Smith-Madrone and met with Charlie
Smith. A long-time customer and friend, it took almost two hours to unload the
barrels over a bottle of his 2007 Chard. Our conversation ranged over a broad
 spectrum of topics:
CS: "I gotta tell ya Phil, for the past several years,
Marchive has proven to be our best barrel by far. We did trials this past year,
for instance, with several brands and in focused sit-down blind tastings we all
preferred the Marchive over Sylvain (#2), Seguin Moreau and Radoux. We really like the way the barrel keeps
the fruit forward and gives a spicy note that works really well with our Spring
Mountain fruit."
PB: "Well thanks, we certainly like to hear good things about
our barrels. But tell me Charlie, what do you do when you're not making great wine?"
 CS: "I play croquet up at Meadowood. I've met a lot of interesting people over the years through the game. That's how I met Jeff over there. (pointing to a gentleman who was strolling up to the winery). We played a few matches and became friends over a few bottles of our wine. He came up to the winery today to get a case of Chardonnay."
PB: "So playing croquet leads to drinking good wine. That's good to know. Have any hobbies?"
CS: "I like old cars. I can sometimes be found puttering around my Classic Jaquar XJ6. Other than that, I've got a honey do list that's fairly sizable."
We both had a good chuckle and poured another round. I'd have to agree with Jeff, this wine is well worth driving up the mountain for.
Sincerely,
Phil Burton
|
Secrets from the Cellar
Are Borers buggin' you?
This has been an especially bad year for borebugs so it's
probably worth an update on how to handle Scobicia declivis. Also called lead cable borers or short circuit
beetles, they cause millions of dollars worth of damage annually. For whatever
reason, they are inordinately fond of wine and wood; used barrels are a magnet.
The adult borebugs emerge in late spring and look for places to
excavate their tunnels to lay eggs. The eggs normally hatch into small white
larva that continue burrowing and feeding until they pupate. The saving grace
here is that both adults and larva die in the winery environment so there's no
danger of a cloud of borers emerging from your cellar the following season.
They aren't attracted to bug lights and the few products
that you can paint on barrels to deter them don't seem to have any effect
(remember, they bore through lead cable sheathing). The only way to prevent
them from excavating in your barrels is to prevent contact.
From March through
June, if you must work barrels outside, do it early in the morning when cooler
temps slow their movement. Keep your cellar closed or screened and you'll
minimize infestations. If you do find leaks when you fill barrels, take your
knife and a rag and pinpoint the leak.
If there's the telltale round hole the
size of a pencil lead, you can use a spile (we sell them), whittle a tapered
plug or use a fat round toothpick (some brands are too skinny).
Note that you
occasionally find a smaller bore bug hole that's the diameter of a straight
pin. Don't let your supplier tell you that these are your fault. The small
holes are caused by European borers and happened before the barrels were made.
|
Oak Alternatives are hot!
Now more than ever, quality oak alternatives are getting rave reviews and we've got just want you need.
Oak Chips - you'll love 'em, in French and American, in a variety of toast levels. Download our price sheet.
Insert Systems - In response to customer requests we have developed our own unique insert system design.
· All wood is air-dried and oak toasted: - French oak - 24 months
- American oak - 36 months
· Deep toast penetration through the entire slat · Easy installation · Open end design for easy lees stirring, snug fit · Guaranteed to stay in place · Easy cleaning
Tank Staves - Air dried, traditional toasting method.
Staves are an industry standard method of providing desirable
oak flavors at an economical price point.
· Versatile - multiple configurations
· Easy to use
· Excellent value
· American and French oak
· Easy maintenance
Download our price sheet.
We also offer oak dust, blocks and chains; call for availability and pricing - 800.365.8231
Let us know how we can help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BUNGS!
Order your Bungs
now, while we
have them
in stock!
Download pdf
|
Barrel Builders is on Facebook
Become a fan!
|
|
