[Captain Jack]

After trying to order the primary components from Argentina directly, I've settled on merely buying the grapes, and supplying the rest from domestic sources.

Have any of you had better luck?

 

[Captain Jack]

I've been utilizing the standard 6.5 bucket for my fermentation, but I've had to bulk order my Bersas, I've had soil sensitivity issues with this little black beauty.

Anyone had better luck with growing?

 

[Captain Jack]

Yeah, I'm from the Midwest and trying to find a good fertilizer to grow my Bersa grapes in. Anyone with suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. :-D

Careful. In the midwest, people mistakenly discard Bersas that they think have been ravaged by the soil conditions.

Truth is, these grapes have been affected by Botrytis cinerea.

 

[BotaBag]

I was just Googling my way around trying to find more about this up and coming Bersa grape and I saw this thread come up. This Bersa grape has an amazing complexity and character. It is personally my new favorite.

You know as they say ABC - Anything But Chardonnay

 

[Grape Ape]

Uh guys, you do realize that the Argentine president is going to stop allowing export of the Bersa grape, right?...That's the main reason I had to move my vineyards to Argentina.

 

[Captain Jack]

When the "noble rot" hits the Bersas, they shrivel, but the sugars concentrate like mad, eventually leaving you a bottle of the lovliest drop.

 

[BotaBag]

Careful. In the midwest, people mistakenly discard Bersas that they think have been ravaged by the soil conditions.

Truth is, these grapes have been affected by Botrytis cinerea.

Does this affect the pedicel or the locules?

 

[Captain Jack]

Confused... Should I use more cow manure...or go with 10 10 10?

Your forumla is fine, but the Bersa is genetically comfortable in rainforest-like conditions.

Agua, my friend.

 

[Captain Jack]

My biggest problem with the Bersa strain is the toughness of the skin. All I hear everyday is the biatching and moaning of the petite little 18 yr olds I "employ" to stomp my fresh picked. "Oh they dig under my nails" "It takes 3 of us twice as long as it did the old grapes" "The color in the skin won't come out of our thongs".

I'm gonna have to hire real Argentinian transfer students next time. Since this strain originated in their homeland, they seem to get into it more. An they like to crush in the flesh.

I gotta tell ya, I'd like to "employ" the Argentinian President...

 

[BotaBag]

I gotta tell ya, I'd like to "employ" the Argentinian President...

WOW!!! Wolf Whistles!!! She could take care of my grapes anyday. No wonder I like this strain.

 

[Captain Jack]

Does this affect the pedicel or the locules?

Pistillate flowers suffer a similar (in appearance only) affliction.

Let the fungus spread, it's rare enough on it's own, and your noble rot Bersa will be the hit of the party...

 

[Grape Ape]

Aaah... The deadly beauty. She is beautiful, but the Argentine president takes her winemaking seriously. Her regulations have cut deeply into our profits. On the plus side, she has personally visited my vineyards and loves my strain of Bersa. I will not share my fertilizer secrets with you scallywags, but the Argentine climate produces much better yields than I got in Southern California.

 

[Captain Jack]

Thats why I'm buying my abundance of bursa grapes now.... So I can introduce them to the American people... ;-)

Prudent. I think if Bersas take off in America, President Fernandez may rethink the upcoming ban...

 

[Captain Jack]

Remember that episode of I love Lucy where she is stomping grapes... Thats when I felt the need to start my own winery. I just picture the Argentine president doing it know...

I gotta tell ya, she does something to me...

In Vino Veritas....

 

[BotaBag]

Pistillate flowers suffer a similar (in appearance only) affliction.

Let the fungus spread, it's rare enough on it's own, and your noble rot Bersa will be the hit of the party...

Who would think that Botrytis cinerea in Latin meaning "Grapes like ashes" would affect this strain so delicately yet with bold implications.

 

[Captain Jack]

I did find that altitude has a great deal to do with vine productivity. I've found that anywhere between 3000-4000 ASL is producing 20-35% more per vine than my lower shelf fields. It'll take another year or so to regain the costs, but the land in the Argentine hills will be well worth it.

On another note .... The current prez. likes to be wined & dined. Makes exports go quite smooth if you're able to slip her a little something once in a while. Btw - she prefers blondes.

Thanks for bringing this up.

So many people spend their time in soil analysis, and completely ignore altitude.

The altitude of your Bersa dtermines it's attitude.

 

[Captain Jack]

Who would think that Botrytis cinerea in Latin meaning "Grapes like ashes" would affect this strain so delicately yet with bold implications.

Truer words never spoken. The dehydration makes a bold impact, the subtle little fungus makes some not so subtle nuances on the hearty Bersa.

 

[Grape Ape]

Our altitude is Argentina is the same altitude we used in Southern California... On a side note, do any of you have pest problems with your Bersa strain? It seems the local wildlife like the Bersa as much as true wine connoisseurs!

 

[Captain Jack]

Our altitude is Argentina is the same altitude we used in Southern California... On a side note, do any of you have pest problems with your Bersa strain? It seems the local wildlife like the Bersa as much as true wine connoisseurs!

Funny you say that.

I've had a fox visiting my vinyard, and hitting up my Bersas. Not alot, but it's an annoyance.

I think I need to learn about guns and deal with this critter.

Anybody know of a good gun forum?

 

[Calico Rackham]

So glad there are some others in pursuit of these darned things as well. The export taxes are ridiculous!

Has ANYONE found a trust that can handle whatever the hell the "International Agricultural Export and Import Agreement for a Private Citizen"?

A friend who has been in the winery business for decades gave me a sample of aged Bersa wine and I was immediately in love! The dry and sweetness just drapes across the palate like a lovely Beerenauslese without the headaches in the morning.