Racking and the moon ...

Like you, I rack when it's convenient. However, in a book about Pinot Noir I've read that Burgundians rack only when there's high atmospheric pressure since it presumable keeps the lees compacted, and that this corresponds to full moons. Is there any reality here? I don't know.

Ed

Sounds loony to me.

John

Maybe there is some logic in this. You have the largest tidal swings on the full and dark moon. So maybe the large tidal action could start the racking process by filling siphon hose.

Yea, Right!

Ray

A truely bad pun... Ken

Remember for many years in European cellars women were banned because menstruation would upset the wine being stored in barrels (and I have heard that some winemakers over there still adhere to this).

A lot of winemakers in Europe are untrained in oenology, and just do what tradition dictates (obviously not in the better wineries), there is a hell of a lot of village wine made of pretty appalling standard.

In a winery, we rack when the lees are settled to our liking, or when we desperately need the tank the wine is in (most usual case during vintage, there are never enough tanks!).

Rob L

Here's a slant In France (these days) many of the wineries have women in the cellars as the actual wine makers. Men are used to harvest, crush and press etc. under the winemaker (women) direction. I questioned why and was told trained oenolgy/viticulture women have a measurable advantage in taste/smell than men..........interesting

Yes, but also dependant on their cycle (read: moon) they can smell better, and even see better in the dark!!! Now, you can imagine in which period?

Rene.

than men..........interesting

WAIT ! WAIT WAIT a gosh darn minute here. In our village we've been using only chaste and pure women to harvest and press. Of course this is followed by a burning of our village crones, followed by a bottling party in which snacks and beverages from the pre season are given up for sacrefice. Our wizard swears this is the one and only way. How can I go about bringing this delicate subject to thier attention ? I admit, your ways seem better. Please excuse any and all spelling errors, I'm very upset.

than men..........interesting

I typically hire the seven muses to take care of this dreadful business for me. Their nakedness is somewhat embarassing, and they do try to cause mischief, but I must do it for the goodness of the wine. My wife, however, does not understand, nor forgive. Such a hell I live.

Hopefully the present. Rene', tell GW that you have an army of Amazons that require no NVG to be effective at night, and can capture Osama Been Forgotton in the Afghanistan mountains.

It is interesting, my wifes sense of smell was incredible when she was pregnant!

While at uni we did a lot of palate testing, and for our year the women were all in the top for sensitivity and reproducibility.

Rob L

Right, women smell better than men, duh we always known that. Where the moon comes in it is all-different. Anyone doing time, as winemaker in south of France knows why you rack at full moon. Any man knows WHY you rack at full moon.

SG Brix