May 27 2010 update - Thursday

Southeast Logan Square has seen a series of 80-degree days this week. The lows did not even get into the 50's. The urban/residential garden is progressing very well and impressively. I don't have any photo updates because my camera battery charger is at a friend's house, actually in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Listening to the Dwight Yoakam channel on www.Pandora.com right now.

Rudy McClain created the documentary 'Merlove' and he recently sat down with Gary Vaynerchuk from WineLibrary TV last autumn 2009 to talk about his film, which was a response to the movie 'Sideways' featuring Paul Giamatti. Here is a link to the conversation with Gary V:

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2009/11/25/merlove-episode-775/


Here's a link to one of the more popular scenes from the movie 'Sideways', the one referred to above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiOuroHPxRQ

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Rudy McClain also sat down with a fella from the website, www.winecast.net.   A link to that podcast is here:

http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podshows/7374386

The author of www.winecast.net is Tim Elliott, a bit of information about him can be found at:

http://winecast.net/about/


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Side Note:  I determined a few days back that Louie, the black dog in St. Louis isn't capable of eating the grapes.  I have zero acquaintance with Louie's personality, but I thought I would mention another great vineyard dog, from Canada - Mr. Bones (Newmicon's dog):

http://www.youtube.com/user/Newmicon#p/u/23/m9IYMTRnlY4

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The impulse to mention the doc 'Merlove' was realizing that there are a good many wonderful podcasts available for FREE on iTunes, and I don't even own an iPod.  It is great.  Check the iTunes download location the next time you think of wine podcasts.  That is where I originally came upon the interview between Tim Elliot and Rudy McClain from WineCast.

Also, in re-listening to the podcasts from www.winemakingradio.com, I listened more closely to one rascal from North Dakota, named Gary Cook, he runs The Valley Vine - an online newsletter featuring updates from the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota/eastern North Dakota.  I enjoyed his insight into many matters involving wine making and wine tasting.  A link to that conversation, again, is:

http://www.winemakingradio.com/wmr/Episode22.asx


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As far as growth goes, it appears that new leaves are arriving at a rate of two new leaves every four days, from what can be observed thus far.  Perhaps there will be an increase for the next 40 days and then a plateau.  Great progress moving forward despite the worst of locations for plantings.

One final mention is that I now have a fourth Cabernet Sauvignon cutting that has experienced bud break in the past 56 hours or so, this is the batch cut from my parents' vine in St. Louis MO.  This one will be called Cabernet #4.  It was great news to hear from my roommate as she informed me the old way - by us having a conversation through the window as I was in the garden.

Happy growing!

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.)