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Thank you very much for the Orange tree complete with flowers and baby oranges. You truly are a Victorian nursery I used to pack all the trees I sent out by rail using straw bundles similar to yours. Actually we used long straw and no outer polythene.We also used twine macramed on the outside to hold the bundle together. There is nothing wrong with your packing. It remided me of the old days. I am 78. Now I have to find a suitable container whivh no doubt will be expensive. Versailles sell them and a pottery in the south of France makes the other tradional type. I was a bit surprised when I visited Kew Gardens, that they did not have one single orange tree in their orangerie. Lovely web site and lovely young orange tree in perfect order.
Alistair M., Bicester
Whilst it is no longer permitted to use the name 'Champagne' forl wines made outside of the Champagne region in France ', here is the all-important recipe to make your own very fine-quality sparkling wine using the same method as used in France; what you decide to call it is up to you!
In the seventeenth century barrels of wine used to be shipped to England from the Champagne district of France, which now covers 55,000 acres. The wine arrived in winter and was subsequently bottled. When the warm spring arrived the wine became active again and started to ferment, but this time in the sealed bottles. The gas produced could not escape and the weaker bottles exploded! The stronger bottles resulted in the first recorded sparkling wine or Champagne as it is known today.
Wine-making is a science, albeit great fun. You will be following this advice at your own risk entirely. Under no circumstances can we accept any responsibility for accident, misadventure or error since your manufacturing is totally outside our control.
After this process treatment it must be kept in cooler conditions - about 40-60°F (5-15°C) for about 18 months; the longer it is left the better it will be. Then serve in the usual way - not ice cold but just gently chilled!
The process we have described is the correct procedure, and the complex organic chemical process of fermentation formed by the champagne yeast breaking down enhances and improves the bouquet or final flavour of your wine. It is now, if you have the patience, that you have the opportunity of putting into practice the final skill, known as dégorgement – the removal from the bottles of the yeast sediment.
Ideally during the secondary fermentation period the bottles should be placed in an inverted position. The reason for this is that as each bottle is given a quick twist every week over a three-month period all of the yeast sediment will shift to the base of the cork.
Now comes the art of dégorgement!
Usually this is done by freezing the necks of the bottles and then removing the corks with care - thus allowing you to remove a ‘plug’ of frozen wine, yeast and sediment. By far the easiest way of freezing the necks of the bottles is to purchase a pipe-freezing kit from your local DIY store (as used to repair pipes where there is no means of turning off the supply).
The bottles are then topped up with a little spare wine (free of yeast sediment) to which you can add a dessert-spoonful of brandy or one level teaspoonful of white sugar per bottle. Immediately re-cork as before – you can use the same or new corks. If using the same corks boil vigorously in clean water for 10 minutes before re-use. These corks are then wired and the wine will improve as time goes by.
Eating / Wine Grape. The noble grape of Burgundy and Champagne; eats well too. Rich black fruits. Suitable for outdoor and protected growing. Self Fertile.
Available Now
Supplied as a bare root grafted vine approximately 12" - 18" (30 - 45 cm) tall including roots.
A truly novel gift! Two of the classic Champagne grape varieties and the all important recipe to make a fine quality sparkling wines. Can be grown outside. Self fertile.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late February early March 2021
Supplied as bare root grafted vines approximately 2 feet (60 cm) tall including roots.
Eating / Wine Grape. Gorgeously sweet golden grapes suitable for eating and wine-making. Suitable for outdoor and protected growing. Self Fertile.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late February early March 2021
Supplied as a bare root grafted vine approximately 12" - 18" (30 - 45 cm) tall including roots.