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Ahlgren

JUNE 1999

WEATHER WATCH |  BIRD WATCH | BASH INFO | LOGO ITEMS | SHIPPING

When we wrote the newsletter last fall, the last grapes of the vintage were still hanging on the vines, Cabernet Franc and Nebbiolo. Finally, they were picked. Not as ripe as we wanted, but at that late date in the season, well into November, we really had no choice. There would be no chance for further ripening. The weather was cooling. It was raining on and off. The leaves began dropping, and winter was soon to close in on us.

So light were these wines as we pressed them and moved them into barrels, that we did not expect much from these very late season grapes, the latest pressings in our twenty three year experience.

Yesterday, we tasted these wines again from the barrel, and to our delight, they are developing into very pleasant wines, light and palatable. So, no big Nebbiolo or Cab Franc from 1998, but it looks as though something very nice in the way of light, delightful reds is coming along. We will try some experimental blends and see if anything more develops, in the meantime, we will keep you posted.

As we write, we are experiencing a lovely and welcome spring day. Grapevines, cover crop, and trees are bursting with green. Daffodils are finishing up after blooming spectacular spring.

It has been a very cool spring, with a few hot days thrown in.  Our peach trees are not happy, suffering with peach leaf curl. Peaches, however, have a history of doing badly in these mountains, so maybe we were pushing our luck in planting them.

With this weather, Val is aching to get into the garden, but the newsletter must be completed first, so onward and upward, with only a backward glance at a winter which brought us one full day of big floating, drifting snowflakes that kept us glued to the windowpanes in wonder, even as they melted hitting the ground.

ADVENTURES AT AHLGREN VINEYARD BIRD WATCH

OYSTER BASH and BAGNA CAUDA BASH CURTAILED

It was great fun while it lasted, but costs have risen dramatically, and reservations have dropped suddenly and drastically. So, we will think up an alternative plan for getting together to enjoy food and wine here at the winery. We will let you know. In the meantime, you are welcome to come up on Saturdays between 12 and 4 with a picnic and create you own custom Bash.

 AHLGREN LOGO GEAR

AHLGREN "Bottle" Peppercorn Grinder    The grinder is the shape and size of a bottle of AHLGREN wine. Made of Eastern Maple skillfully turned by Maine woodworkers and then lacquered black, the AHLGREN label is attached and sealed on. The center of the "bottle" has been drilled out to hold the peppercorns, and the stainless steel grinding mechanism is adjustable from fine to very course grind by turning a button on the top. Very high quality. It is really a knockout, getting all sorts of attention because it is such a wine bottle look-alike, besides being very handsome. We love ours.

The best peppercorn grinder we have ever had. Be the first on your block to have one. Also makes a great gift, weddings, birthdays, etc. Such is the satisfaction and delight with this grinder that several customers have returned to buy additional grinders to use as gifts. $40.00.

AHLGREN Red Logo Glass (The logo is red, not the glass, although the wine may be, and then it would be a red wine glass. etc., etc.): 8 1/4 ounce tasting glass, 6 1/4 inch tall. This handsome glass has a stem long enough to provide a comfortable handhold. It comes from Holland and answers the need for a less expensive glass. Like our generous, large logo glass, this is a favorite of ours and one we use a great deal at our table and in the winery. The attractive red logo says it all, "Ahlgren Vineyard." $3.50 each, $35.00 per dozen.

AHLGREN Classic Logo Glass: Our 12 ounce, 8 1/2 inch glass with the engraved look logo. Designed to emulate the fine lines and quality of the famous Reidle glasses from Austria at a fraction of the cost. $8.50 each.

WINE SHIPPING BLUES, continuing saga -- Those AHLGREN Wine Club Members living in non-reciprocal states will be receiving this letter, but no wine. Check with us on alternate ways to get our wines, if it is at all possible.

If you are planning a visit to California, or another reciprocal state, and would like us to ship to an address there, let us know.

The reciprocal states are: California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Computer blooper: About seventy of our members received two packages instead of the one they really ordered. All except about three elected to keep the second box, and a few even chose to up their regular order on the clear evidence that they really wanted twice as many bottles as they had been receiving.

Now we ask, if you, the others who received and elected to keep the second package are somehow depriving yourselves of receiving enough Ahlgren wine? You may not be able to count on Divine Intervention to double your order again, if we have any luck with the computer gremlins. If you really like receiving twice as much, give us a call and double up!

CLOSING NOTE: We had a fabulous time on our trip to Italy and the French Alps. Took our 22 year old granddaughter with us: two tortoises and a hare. Can hardly wait to go again.

REMEMBER! WE ARE OPEN FOR TASTING AND SALES EVERY SATURDAY FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 4:00 P.M.

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