Here's one for home winemakers

Fellow home winemakers and winemakers in general will probably enjoy this one - I sure did!

A real do-it-yourselfer teaches his craft

Jan is one of the most careful home winemakers I know. His numerous awards come from the hard work of trying many, many combinations and keeping good records. To him though It's not hard work but just the way to do things. He couldn't imagine doing it any differently.

Nice article, and I agree with him regarding whites vs. reds in this area.

Dan, I didn't know that you knew Jan - that's great. I really was inspired reading that article on him.

Howie, I guess I'm a bit contrarian vis-à-vis reds (but you knew that already ) I think that our area will likely never be able to reproduce the Rioja, warm-climate Merlot or Cali-Cab paradigms to give but those examples - but what we can do is make excellent Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, De Chaunac and Chambourcins, not to mention the still-embryonic reds that have yet to emerge from the latest-series hybrids like Marquette, which is being grown in Minnesota.

I buy about an equal proportion of local reds to whites, but I do agree that when I'm in the mood for a "warm" red, I need to look to other sources.

Still, I can't help but recall with great fondness all the Pennsylvanian and Indiana Chambourcins I've had, as well as the many light-bodied but complex, barrel-aged red hybrids from our own turf here in Ontario.

Paul B,
Know the name well, from NYS Home Wine Competition and AWS Amateur Wine Competitions. Excellent winemaker, and because I helped out and assisted with the AWS National Amateur Wine Competition, I had the opportunity to sample some of his excellent home made wines.

Salute

Thanks Victor. I'm really glad that so many folks here know Jan. As I say, I found this article extremely inspiring. I have the highest respect for people like Jan, Dan and Howie, who make wine at home and do it with skill and knowledge. It's the best way to set the roots for an authentic wine culture in our continent.