Joe Sallustio wrote:

> On Feb 2, 4:03 pm, "
> > wrote:
>> I am considering ordering malbec grapes from
>> South America. The supplier has quoted 18 pound
>> boxes. How many gallons should I get out of an
>> 18 pound box of malbec grapes?
>>
>> Does any one have any suggestions or comments
>> about what to expect with this grape?
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Orlando
>
> About 1.2 gallons US; if these are shipping
> across a border and get held in Customs you may
> not be happy in the end.
>
> Joe

Joe, those Central Valley California grapes that I
believe we have both used to make wine are excess
grapes that the wineries in California could not
use. At least this is what S&S, a distributor
who sells the grapes in Baltimore told me.

I bought some Riesling juice from them this year.
When I got it home it was already about 25%
fermented in the pails. This means that they have
probably been held in cold storage in California
for a period of time BEFORE shipped via
refrigerated truck to the Eastern US.

I do not think the grapes from Chile would be of
any less quality. In fact they may be better if
they are flown cold via Air Cargo direct.

When I visited Guatemala a few years ago, I
visited a huge ranch that grows ROSES and air
ships them to huge markets in the US. Produce
grown south of the equator does not mean that it
takes the slow boat through the Panama Canal.