Three days have passed since the seeds of the grapes were sown. The vines are growing vigorously and has become a mature vine. However, as expected, they haven’t produced fruits yet. It will take another three days for its fruits to appear.
After tending the vineyard with Char, we get started on building the barn. This will be the facility for winemaking.
I wish I could build a winery, but my level is not there yet.
Well, I guess that because I haven’t meet the requirements for it.
I don’t have other option so I decided to just build a work barn for now and aim to be a small-scale brewer first.
| Possible to Build: Barn Description: A building where agricultural tools are stored. Can also be used as workstation. Comes with a second floor and a small basement. Required points: 3 |
I spent 3 points to build a stone barn.
“There’s nothing here.”
Peering inside the empty barn, Char tilts her head in confusion.
“I’m going to get what we need.”
While checking my status screen for what is needed for winemaking, I used points to set up the equipment.
First, I installed a machine to remove the stems and branches and lightly crush the grape skins. Next is the tank for fermentation. Then a press for squeezing out the fermented juice. I also added barrels for storage and aging.
Since the production volume is small, it is better to keep the barrels to about four small ones. If the barrels are too big, they’ll be difficult to handle.
I have spent so many points that I only have 12 points left.
Sigh. I’ll have to live frugally for a while.
“I’d rather eat grapes than wine.”
Char, who can’t drink alcohol, doesn’t seem to be convinced that grapes made into wine would be delicious. She has been murmuring that it is better to eat grapes as it is.
“But you know, if you squeeze the grapes, you can get its juice.”
“Juice?”
“Yes. You will like the sweet grape juice before it is processed to become wine for sure.”
“Oh! I indeed like juice!”
“Besides, if we have that juice, Lynn might be able to make us some sorbet.”
“Sorbet?”
“I’m talking about cold sweets. Lynn can use ice-cooling magic for cooking, so it is possible to make one.”
“Yay! I’m looking forward to the grape harvest!”
Looks like she is in a better mood now.
The harvest day will probably be three days later. With the help of Cawsill and Dawsill, we’ll start making wine that day.
✲✲✲
For the next days, we worked hard in the fields every morning and do our usual tasks.
As expected, three days later, the grapes are now ready for harvest.
The black grapes to be harvested today are large-grained and have thick skins. I tried it, but it is less astringent and has just the right amount of acidity and sweetness. If we use this, we can surely make an elegant red wine.
Today, in addition to Dawsill and Cawsill, Upa and Mio-san also came to help with the harvest.
“We don’t have any guests staying tonight but you don’t have to come too Upa.”
“Even if you say that, I’m still curious. You guys are going to start brewing wine, aren’t you?”
Right. Upa loves to drink.
You can never have too many hands, so there’s no reason to complain. The vineyards are about 100 square meters in size for each variety, but the harvest is still plentiful.
“Okay, let’s start harvesting. We’ll have the red wine ready by the end of the day!”
All the black grapes were harvested today. We left the grapes that will be used for making white wine for tomorrow’s work.
“Young Master, what are we going to do next? (Munch, munch)”
Cawsill asks as he snacks on the freshly harvested grapes.
“Put the harvested grapes in a bucket to wash them. After that, put the washed grapes in the machine over there.”
If you wash the grapes too much, the natural yeast on its skin will be washed away, so we are careful when washing them.
Everyone then slowly poured the grapes into the opening of the machine.
“Alright. I’m going to run the machine, don’t be surprised if it makes a loud noise.”
The machine starts to move, efficiently removing the stems and branches from the grapes. The sweet smell of crushed grapes fills the barn, and Char and Cawsill are both fascinated by the sweet scent.
Mio-san stared at the machine cautiously.
“How does this work?”
“It’s powered by magic stones. The fermentation tanks also use magic stones. Oh right. I need to go to the cave and replenish the magic stones soon.”
“Then I’ll go do it.”
“Mio-san?”
“I used to be a spy, but Cedie still allowed me to stay here. I want to be useful to you.”
“But it’s dangerous for you to go alone, Mio-san.”
“I’m still a former adventurer, and the cave here is not as dangerous as the dungeons in the Capital.”
I haven’t leveled up the cave so the monsters that appear there are still all low-level. Mio-san, who is familiar with dungeons, doesn’t seem like she’ll be in danger and fall behind there.
“Well, okay then. I’m leaving it to you. But if someone else is free, please go with them as much as possible. I’ll help out if I have time.”
“I’m going to help you too. Char is the strongest species!”
“I’ll also join you when I’m free.”
Mmm. As long as Char and Upa are there, there will be no problem.
The work was finished and the machine stopped. The result was a mixture of fruit juice, pulp, and skins called mash. This was transferred to a fermentation tank and then wine yeast was mixed in.
With this, today’s work is done.
Upa stares at the tank with a big smile on his face.
“Oh, please be a good wine. It will be a week or two before the fermentation is finished, right?”
That’s normally about that long. But this is Gandalcia Island after all.
“I think it’ll be done in three days.”
“That fast!?”
“Yes. As for the aging time, I think it’s going to be three days of maturation after that.”
Normally, you have to wait three weeks to a month for a clear wine to show up.
“As expected, this island is really incredible.”
I remained silent, but that wasn’t the only amazing thing about Gandalcia. In some cases, the wine is left to age in barrels for several years, but here, this process would only take three days.
Within just ten minutes of putting the fruit in the tank, bubbles are already coming out. Fermentation seems to have begun. Upa watches the fermentation from the tank window without getting bored.
“Is it time to taste it?”
“Not yet!”
Even on Gandalcia Island, you can’t make wine that fast. Once the gas stops coming out, the mash will be pressed in the press and left to sit for three days, after which it’s complete. That’s the best time to taste it.
“Oh, I can’t wait!”
I know it’s not for me to say this as I am a child myself, but Upa is really like a child at times like this.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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Whining about wine.
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