8/12: Today we continued learning about the basic cellar operations in intro winemaking lecture. During the tutorial we walked up to the winery for a winery induction on safety in the winery. It was interesting learning about the machines we will be using this semester and next year for harvest season. I am so excited!! We were done with class at noon so I took the bus back to the city campus and continued working on some reports and readings.
8/13: Today in viticultural methods we had a lecture on managing birds and other pests in the vineyard and during berry growth. During practical we started on our physiological pruning project and continued working on our rootstock project from last week. We didn’t finish pruning the last few rows and recording the pruning weight last week so we did that today. We were also introduced to cane pruning. Basically, for cane pruning you remove every cane except for 2, one on each side that you think will be best for producing a large amount of grapes. You also leave 2 short replacement canes but pruned to 2-node spurs. The 2 long canes are usually at the same height as the trellis wire and doesn’t have many lateral shoots. I prefer spur pruning than cane pruning. Today was cloudy but it didn’t rain.
8/14: We learned about mouthfeel sensations and astringency in sensory studies lecture today. During practical, we tasted various wines based on increasing alcohol, bitterness, or sweetness and ranked each one. We did a similar exercise with tannins and astringency in red wine also.
8/15: In viticultural science we learned about budburst, shoot growth and grapevine structure. We started the phenology and fruitfulness project in practical. My friend, Evelyn and I chose Nebbiolo so we will be monitoring the growth of 3 Nebbiolo vines until the end of October. We were released from class early so I returned to the city and walked to a park thats passed the hospital 3/4 mile from my apartment. I walked around the park and along the river back towards campus. It was such a nice day to be outside. I also walked to the Adelaide Oval which I had a better view of from my apartment but now a building under construction is blocking it.
8/16: Today was our last rotation for intro wine and we learned how to determine the pH of the wine and its titratable acidity. During sensory studies tutorial, we continued completing a rate-all-that-apply test for 6 wines. After class, my friends, Evelyn and Sara, and I chose our Riesling wines for our project due at the end of the semester. We chose to compare and contrast dry and sweet Riesling. For dinner we ate at 18th Street Hot Pot. This place is similar to wok where you choose the meat, veggies, and noodles you want, choose your level of spiciness and they cook it. I chose the highest level of spice and my eyes started to water. I thought I could handle it but the spice was so much different from tex-mex spice that I’m used to. But, it was still so delicious.
Weekend: On Saturday I took the train to the Port Adelaide. It was such a nice day that I wanted to visit another beach and the Port. For lunch I had an amazing falafel wrap. Then, I took the train to Semaphore beach. I walked to the end of the jetty and took some pictures then walked on the beach. I ended up walking 5 miles to Grange beach and taking the train back. I walked a total of 12 miles today and my feet hurt so bad. I wore my Keens and forgot to apply band-aids to my toes so I have a few blisters now. Sunday was Open Day where every school in the university displays their programs at various booths for future students to gain more knowledge on the programs and eventually apply. I walked around the booths and collected some free bags and swag. Today was also cold and rainy with some very strong gusts of wind. I continued working on reports and readings since some are due this week.
Catch Rachel Down Under 