Before harvesting Chardonnay grapes.... testing for Sugar & PH

First of all you pick a random sampling of grapes, about 1/2 cup will do. You should walk around each row and get a few from all the area as some plants ripen before others. Before grapes are picked, crushed & pressed you want to know in advance what your sugar & pH will be.

Perfectly lovely Chardonnay Grapes, nice gold hues.

The Husband like to crush the sample with his hands. 

This is a great little instrument and so easy to use.

Place a few drops of juice on the refractometer, shut the top and take a reading.

This is what it looks like. This reading is 23 Brix which will translate to about 13% alcohol.

Next testing for ph.  Strain the juice. 

Make sure that your PH meter is calibrated. 

This is the reading for the Chardonnay. a ph of 3.5

Is this so boring you want to scream???? 

And do you just want to jump to the fun part of rolling around in grapes, crushing the fruit like Lucy & and Ethel????....  Or if you are a science Nerd, you will love the science involved in testing the grapes.

The Juice on the left is Sauvignon Blanc,greener color, and on the right, our golder Chardonnay.

These colors will carry over into the final product.... a perfectly lovely, chilled glass of wine.