"Tom S" > wrote in message
. com...
..
.. "Tim O'Connor" > wrote in message
.. ...
.. > Tom, do you do whole berry press on your Chardonnay or do you crush
first?
.. > That is, can you get adequate pressure from a typical home water line to
.. > press whole berries? I've tried whole berries with a small ratchet
press
.. > and it was damn near impossible without bolting the press to the floor.
.. > Looking for an alternative.
..
.. I have never done whole cluster pressing because I don't believe you get
the
.. best part of the fruit that way. I crush and cold soak the fruit with
.. pectic enzyme and press the next day.
..
.. However, I'm sure that 3 atmospheres in a bladder press will do the trick
if
.. that's (whole cluster) your schtick. :^)
..
.. Tom S
..
Actually, for my chardonnay I take the same approach you do, crush cold soak
for 12-24 hours and then press. But I only make a chardonnay when I buy a
new barrel (and barrel ferment), which is once every 2 or 3 years. I was
going to use whole cluster pressing for some Gewurz that is usually
available. Sounds like a bladder press would work. This year the grapes I
wanted didn't come through so I made a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc from
juice. It will be a summer sipper to go with the 2003 Chardonnay.

Tim