vin de pissenlit

did my picking today, all south facing slopes with full or partial sun, or shade. some flowers were grown on year old licorice root mulch. the percentage of poison ivy leaf is less than 1 percent. they were given a 60 minute hot maceration in tap water on the range in an emile henry ceramic pot then added to the blend of base white grape juice, sugar, water, and a general purpose wine yeast. grape crush was done manually, predominantly with the left hand because of a nasty bee sting on the right. potential alcohol of the must is 17%, so if fermented dry it should be a volatile mix.

harvest was generally uneventful and done at mid-day so the flowers were fully opened. destemming was done in the field. a near riot occurred during picking at clos de gladwyne presbyterian, the our lady of perpetual recess day care was outside and a number of inmates attempted to join the harvest; insurance should cover the cost of the picket fence.

areas frequented by dogs and the local landscaping crews after lunch were fastidiously avoided.

i am going to handle this as if it was a southern rhone blush wine. fermentation should be fast and the wine will be bottled young to be consumed early, like the fourth of july pig roast. if it is not potable it can be used for the post-meal clean-up.

i will keep everyone posted on the status of this project via the wine blog- http://www.wines-for-the-rest-of-us.blogspot.com. please visit our sponsors and pass this on like a chain letter promising untold riches.

if i go blind blame it on this brew...