My grapes have started to turn color a little over a week ago. So I needed to put on my bird netting so they didn't get them like they did last year (with my 1 cluster I had). So I got it on last Saturday. What a pain. It wasn't easy at all, but it really didn't take long so I can't really complain. All the Marquette grapes are turning purple and some of the clusters are almost all purple! It is very exciting. I just saw my Frontinac Gris is turning color today.
I have killed a couple dozen Japanese beetles this last month, I really don't like them and the insecticide really doesn't seem to make a difference. I did have a paper wasp making a nest in the vines and it was pretty ornery. Finally, the one adult was gone, so I cut off the nest and squished it and threw it away. I haven't seen it since. I haven't had to spray much this year with fungicide which is nice, but there hasn't been much plaguing me either.
I have made 4 batches of fruit wine now and just bottled the Strawberry/Chocolate yesterday. It is fantastic! I got 11 bottles of it and 16 bottles of the plain strawberry. I think the plain strawberry needs a little sugar but I did not put it in. I wish it had a little better body, it tastes a little thin. But when you mix it 50:50 with flavored sparkling water, it tastes really good like a wine cooler. I think this may be the best way to drink most of the wine that I made so far. Each one of them has troubles so cutting them makes them way more drinkable.
