I've found my ideal job

I was browsing through the local paper the other day when I came across a very interesting article. It was talking about the methods used by wine growers in our region to tell when the time is right to harvest the grapes. Traditionally this has been done by measuring the sugar content of the grapes using a reflectometer or by doing a more detailed analysis in the lab looking at other features such as acidity levels.

However, it appears that increasingly some growers are abandoning the time honoured methods in favour of using taste buds. And here I don't just mean their taste buds, but more importantly those of their dogs. One grower reported that he decides when it is time to harvest when "his dog decides to start eating the grapes".

Those of you who follow this blog will be well aware of my penchant for the noble grape but I am fussy in ensuring their ripeness first. It would appear, therefore, that I have found my ideal role in life - that of Chief Taster of the Grapes. 

Me at work in my new role

On that basis they should have started harvesting here last week as I have been busy munching grapes for about 10 days now - but they are only just getting round to it in our locale. Don't say I didn't tell them, and don't blame me for a duff vintage!