I spent 4 days working pretty much full time in the Vineyard in early May, from Monday 3rd to Friday 8th May,.
Growth was already well under way, with shoots already around 12 inches long.
During this week I had David's help for a couple of the days, between us we;
-hand weeded around every grape
-cleared unwanted shoot growth from the trunks
-tied some of the longer shoot growth onto the wires
-strimmed between the aisles
-put down 1 cup of fertiliser on every vine
-sprayed a mix of Ridomil (250 grams per 100 litres) and VISIR Pencotech (35-40 mls per 100 litres)
The grapes all looked very healthy, the exception being the 2 vines at the foot of Row 4, the Pecorino, which looked very strange. Compared to the other vines they had virtually now growth, the leaves being small and cup shaped. Very odd !
This was about 2 weeks too late for the first spring vineyard visit, would have been better to start this in mid April.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
GRAPE PRUNING
Started Pruning the vineyard in mid February, and finished on the 1st March.
MONTEPULCIANO AND SANGIOVESE
Pruned both these rows the same way, to 4 bud spurs, max 6 spurs per arm. Most arms had either 5 or 6 spurs.
PECORINO
ROW 3
Pruned to 6 bud spurs, 3 or 4 spurs per arm.
ROW 4
Pruned to 2 canes on each arm, 12 buds per cane.
This was probably about 2 full days work in total.
MONTEPULCIANO AND SANGIOVESE
Pruned both these rows the same way, to 4 bud spurs, max 6 spurs per arm. Most arms had either 5 or 6 spurs.
PECORINO
ROW 3
Pruned to 6 bud spurs, 3 or 4 spurs per arm.
ROW 4
Pruned to 2 canes on each arm, 12 buds per cane.
This was probably about 2 full days work in total.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
HAIL
We had a disaster 4 days ago in the Vineyard.
On Sunday 4th July, a brief but incredibly powerful hail storm hit us around 3pm. It lasted around 30 minutes, but it was so severe, the hailstones were almost the size of Golf Balls. It came from nowhere.
The neighbour said they hadn't seen anything like it in 50 years. It actually smashed some of their windows. The grapes were smashed, with most of the bunches showing around 50% devastation due to the impact of the hail. And the vines themselves were buffeted by strong winds. There is a lot of work to be done to tidy the vineyard up and to get the vines back on track. Undoubtedly any crop will be severely limited, if not lost altogether.
On Sunday 4th July, a brief but incredibly powerful hail storm hit us around 3pm. It lasted around 30 minutes, but it was so severe, the hailstones were almost the size of Golf Balls. It came from nowhere.
The neighbour said they hadn't seen anything like it in 50 years. It actually smashed some of their windows. The grapes were smashed, with most of the bunches showing around 50% devastation due to the impact of the hail. And the vines themselves were buffeted by strong winds. There is a lot of work to be done to tidy the vineyard up and to get the vines back on track. Undoubtedly any crop will be severely limited, if not lost altogether.
Friday, March 5, 2010
What Wine with Fresh Truffles ?
Well of course, it does depend very much on the chosen Truffle dish.
But last weekend, I think we came very close to a near perfect combination. At a charity truffle dinner one of the dishes was a Black Winter New Potato and Green Bean Salad.
The recipe link is here;
http://www.trufflehunter.co.uk/truffle-recipes.php?id=13&folder_id=4
The wine we chose to accompany this was a Cono Sur Viognier 2009, and the combination was heavenly !
But last weekend, I think we came very close to a near perfect combination. At a charity truffle dinner one of the dishes was a Black Winter New Potato and Green Bean Salad.
The recipe link is here;
http://www.trufflehunter.co.uk/truffle-recipes.php?id=13&folder_id=4
The wine we chose to accompany this was a Cono Sur Viognier 2009, and the combination was heavenly !
Monday, October 5, 2009
Latest Truffle News 5th October 2009
We are now pleased to report that we are seeing a good and steady supply of high quality black autumn truffles. These are now available to our clients at just over £300 per kilo.
Unfortunately the quality of the white truffles is not yet satisfactory, and we consider that it is still too early in the season to be hunting these. Past experience and current climatic conditions indicate that the White Truffles will not be at their peak until around early November. Further updates to follow.
Unfortunately the quality of the white truffles is not yet satisfactory, and we consider that it is still too early in the season to be hunting these. Past experience and current climatic conditions indicate that the White Truffles will not be at their peak until around early November. Further updates to follow.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Truffle Hunting Days
If you ever get the chance to visit Le Marche during the Autumn or Winter season, we would recommend you make an effort to attend one of Moreno's Truffle Hunting Experience days.
These excursions can be tailored to your group's requirements. The basic truffle hunting day costs € 90 and includes a truffle hunt, a cookery demonstration to learn how truffles are best used, followed by a very long and wonderful lunch.
Moreno can also organise truffle hunting and cookery weekends.
The truffle hunting is carried out in a very scenic location and Paulo Ciccioli, the truffle hunter, is a very fine chef.
For more information check out Moreno's website and contact him directly;
http://www.lemarcheholiday.net/contacts.html
These excursions can be tailored to your group's requirements. The basic truffle hunting day costs € 90 and includes a truffle hunt, a cookery demonstration to learn how truffles are best used, followed by a very long and wonderful lunch.
Moreno can also organise truffle hunting and cookery weekends.
The truffle hunting is carried out in a very scenic location and Paulo Ciccioli, the truffle hunter, is a very fine chef.
For more information check out Moreno's website and contact him directly;
http://www.lemarcheholiday.net/contacts.html
Monday, August 17, 2009
Italian Truffle Bonanza!
Rain, rain, rain ! During May June and July 2009 central Italy has been inundated with wet weather. This has been the wettest summer anyone alive can remember. Afternoon thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rain have been the daily norm.
This has been a difficult summer for anyone working in the tourist industry. The bad weather, combined with the dreadful state of the world economy, has resulted in greatly reduced visitor numbers. The farmers are also having a difficult time, battling against the rain to get their crops in.
Now for the good news. Trifolau are already forecasting an absolutely bumper autumn for truffles, with prices expected to be well below those seen for years.
The wet weather in May June and July will greatly improve both the quantity and quality of the truffle harvest for October, November and December, meaning that there has never been a better time than Autumn and Winter 2009 to sample the world’s finest fresh truffles!
This has been a difficult summer for anyone working in the tourist industry. The bad weather, combined with the dreadful state of the world economy, has resulted in greatly reduced visitor numbers. The farmers are also having a difficult time, battling against the rain to get their crops in.
Now for the good news. Trifolau are already forecasting an absolutely bumper autumn for truffles, with prices expected to be well below those seen for years.
The wet weather in May June and July will greatly improve both the quantity and quality of the truffle harvest for October, November and December, meaning that there has never been a better time than Autumn and Winter 2009 to sample the world’s finest fresh truffles!
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