September, my favourite month

For many, back to school signals the end of summer, but for me it signals the best time to visit our local vineyards. September is always a beautiful month for us here in New Brunswick, and I have faith that this year will be no different. If visiting from away, please note that it's a good idea to have a light jacket or wind breaker on hand as daytime highs average in the mid-60s Fahrenheit.

September is also the high season for Saint John's cruise traffic with 21 ships calling on the Port City this month, with another 27 scheduled to call in October (also a beautiful month, but not as nice as September in my opinion). If you are visiting Saint John, NB by cruise ship and would like to have an NB Wine Experience, please visit our cruise page for important information.

The grapes in our vineyards have begun the veraison process which is essential to the production of wine. During the first part of the growing season (May-August), all grapes are green and hard. This is because the flesh of the grape is protecting a seed that hasn't yet formed its protective coating. 

During the last week of August and the first few weeks of September, the seed develops this strong outer layer and signals that it is ready to be dispersed. It does this by transforming acids into sugars, turning a bright purple colour (in the case of red wine grapes) and announcing to all the birds and other vectors that it is ripe and juicy. It's around this time that grape-growers need to roll out protective netting to protect the grapes from being eaten.

It is, of course, these big, ripe, juicy grapes that we have come to associate with the picture of a vineyard. Visiting a winery during the month of September allows you to fully appreciate wine from grape to glass.

Uncorked Tours will be offering half day winery tours from Saint John every weekend in September and October EXCEPT Sept 20 (Wine tasting cruise) and Oct 4 (Oktoberfest cruise), and on other dates by reservation. Winery tours from Moncton, Fredericton and St. Andrews are available by reservation.

I hope to see you between the vines! In the meantime, here are some photos from the recent New Brews Cruise held on August 23rd and a couple photos from the Saint John and Moncton winery tours.

Cheers,
Gilliane