74 degrees at 6:56AM on May 24 2010 Monday

Couple of housekeeping items to update.

List:
1. Correction for www.winemakingradio.com, provide specific link to podcast
2. Eliminate possibility of canine destruction to vine in St. Louis, MO.
3. Wine of the day/weekend.
4. Photo update of Southeast Logan Square garden.

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To start, the photo of the black canine is the resident pup at my folks' home.  Apparently Louie is/was a Mother's Day gift from one of my siblings and the respective spouse.  I have yet to meet the pup, but I don't think he can reach the vines up above.  That source of vine destruction is eliminated.   The dog stays.

Also, I actually thought I could go to a more precise page for the podcast I mentioned a few days back with the folks from the University of Minnesota Grape Breeding and Enology Project, but the page only takes one to a list of podcast archives:

http://www.winemakingradio.com/archived2518.html

Wine of the Day/Weekend

Regarding the Bogle Petite Sirah, I think I mentioned that a friend told me that they were beginning to enjoy Petite Sirahs. Thus, I tried to track one of these varietals down for my own bad self. The bottle ran me about $11.99 before tax. With respect to the flavor of the beverage, no complaints. This is probably obvious to most, but I felt like I should've had it with some food to enjoy it properly. The color of the wine was gorgeous in the glass, actually. I do recall having great interest in the depth of the colour as it rested in the glass.

Garden Photos from Sunday May 23, 2010 (Southeast Logan Square - Chicago, IL)

I was a little overwhelmed by the Willamette Hops' growth in recent weeks. These vines are exploding. Note the size of the leaves. READ: Out of CONTROL!!!!!!!!

Gorgeous 2nd Year Clematis. Again, remember, it is only May 23 2010 in this photo. I am so impressed by the growth of these plants. It'll be a great summer of colour, for sure.

Syrah vine # 1. This beaut is completely planted in the wrong place, but danged if I am not going to plow along and get it to grow as best as possible.

Syrah vine # 2. I actually like the entire picture, but the vine is also looking really great as it develops.

the vines have arrived!!!!!!! LeCrescent and Frontenac vines

The LeCrescent and Frontenac vines arrived 2 days ago. I need to get them in the ground, but, either way, this fella is pretty thrilled. So far I am very impressed with the product and customer service that Double A Vineyards provides the client. Real swell company to work with, from what I gather thus far.

The vines within this bag will be drawing from the 'terroir' constituent of the soils of Glen Ellyn, IL. A close friend has been generous enough to offer a nice sized segment of their backyard to allow for planting these cold-hardy vines. I am terribly grateful, they are as well. More to come.... Until then, these are the photos of how the vines were packaged.

Double A Vineyards (Fredonia, NY)
website: www.rakgrape.com

Note: With the purchase, the company also sent along a beautiful catalog displaying the products that they sell and grow on their land. It is very much an information-soaked document. This, I am beginning to compare to my purchase of Cabernet Franc cuttings in late Feb 2010. That grower didn't send much at all in the way of info.

And finally, last night's bottle of choice was a Bogle Petite Sirah. My reasoning was two-fold:

Reason A: The price was right. ($11.99)

Reason B: A friend recommended the vino because it is becoming one of their current favorites.

Bogle Vineyards (Click on the hyperlinked name and that'll get you there.)