WHAT'S NEW AT THE PIRTLE WINERY: JANUARY 2004

Where is global warming when you need it? The major groundhogs of Groundhog Day may be no-shows this year because of the cold January. We have been on a light schedule lately due to various ice and snow and cold. However, the days are getting longer; the sun is rising higher and higher in the sky every day. Spring will be here before we know it.

During this past year, numerous customers commented that they wanted grape plants for arbors over their patio or deck and asked where they could obtain such. We have two varieties that we will propagate for sale this year. One is Baco Noir. This is the variety that covers our wine garden area. (Baco Noir was released by hybridizer Maurice Baco as Baco No. 1 in 1902 in the Bordeaux Region of France) It is extremely vigorous and 2 to 3 vines will cover a lot of area.

The second variety is believed to be Oberlin Noir. (Oberlin was a hybridizer in Alsace, which vacillated between Germany and French ownership). I obtained this variety from Midi Vineyards in Lone Jack, Mo. back in the 70's. (Midi is no longer in business). They bought it mistakenly as the variety Leon Millot from a nursery in Maryland. It is also extremely vigorous. This is the variety that covered the patio area of Vineyards Restaurant before a "small" tornado hit and blew the vine covered top of the patio down.  Neither variety requires much care. Both have grapes every year and are mostly disease free; we never spray them. Oberlin Noir matures in early August and produces a very dark Burgundy style wine. Baco matures in late august to  early September and produces Bordeaux style wine.  You may order rooted vines to be picked up in the spring; or you may order cuttings and root them yourself (we include directions). Rooted vines growing in pots are 10.00, cuttings are 3.00 each.

We are about a month away from our own vineyard labors. We will have a lot of cuttings of St. Vincent if you are interested. St. Vincent is well behaved and produces French Burgundy style wines. We view it as cold hardy vinifera variety. It roots easily. Call for prices of these if you want them or write to me pirtlewine@aol.com. St. Vincent requires protection from blackrot.

All of our wines are back in the lineup. We have been temporarily out of some labels in the recent past; we resolve to not let that happen again. The recently bottled Seyval is truly excellent as is the Chambourcin. If you are fond of dry white or red wine we urge you to come try them. Weston Bend White from Cayuga has been extremely popular; we bottled more in early January. Apple juice from Missouri Orchards last pressing just finished fermenting.  Tomorrow it gets pumped to used brandy barrels where it will rest and acquire superior character. The meads are excellent as usual. Our Port is as good as, if not better than, last years; it is a real tummy warmer on cold winter evenings.

We have the very best people in the world selling our wine in the KC area. On our homepage, you'll find a link to a list of establishments that carry Pirtle Wines.

Enthusiasm for the coming year is growing, cold or not. Come see us when you can.

:: PATRICIA'S RECIPE OF THE MONTH ::

My recipe this month is drink our Port with chocolates by the fire! Keep an eye open for new recipes in the upcoming newsletters.

Yours in wine,
Elbert & Patricia Pirtle
http://www.pirtlewinery.com
Tel: (816) 280-3210