2003 Sparkling Maine Cranberry

Retail: $13.00, Released February 14, 2004

Variety: 75% Maine Cranberry, 25% New York State Vidal Blanc

Harvest: The cranberries were harvested from Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner, Maine, washed and sorted. The 2003 harvest began in late September and continued into October with dry weather through the harvest. The grapes were harvested from select growers in upstate New York. The 2003 vintage was marked by a hot, dry summer followed by a cool, dry autumn which allowed for the fruit to ripen fully, however not until late November.

Technical: The grapes were harvested quite ripe with sugar levels averaging 20 degrees Brix. 3.18 pH, and .65 g/100 ml acidity. Bottled 210 cases between February 13 and March 8 2004, residual sugar 6.8%, alcohol 9.5% by volume.

Description: Bright pink color, clear and clean with an elusive cranberry and citrus nose. The flavor is a balanced sweet and tart cranberry while the Vidal Blanc provides a fragrant nose and a crisp finish.

Vinification: Using whole berry fermentation, the cranberries were lightly crushed and cold soaked for 10 days. When the temperature reached 45 F, the must was inoculated with Prise de Mousse yeast and punched down by hand during initial fermentation to maximize fruit extraction. At 11 degrees Brix the cranberries were gently pressed. After pressing, the wine continued to ferment until the residual sugar level reached 8%. Finally, the wines were blended, hot and cold stabilized, carbonated, and bottled.