selection of grapes

[michael coffey]

I would like to ask a question to anyone who is an expert on wine making. The question is simply, "What grapes do I get?"
My little venture is that I want to make a family heirloom of vintage brandi. I grew up making muscadine wine, but I don't think that they would fit the bill. I want to make about 10 barrels of a VERY FINE and VERY BOLD wine. Then distill it to the proper levels and put it in casks made of the finest woods. After about 15 to 20 years, I want to bottle it and attach a simple letter to each bottle. The letters would be addressed to various decendants. ie...children, grand children, great grandchildren...the list goes on. They would just describe the the way the world is today and tell a little about their ancestry.
Money is no issue in this venture and I would like some feedback on the best way to do it...Thank You for your time and consideration.
P.S.-I would like the end product to be a reflection of my personality. Stubborn, strong, bold, refined....OLD SCHOOL!!!

[Innkeeper]

Hi Michael and welcome to the Wine Board. Ideally you need Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes, but in a pinch you could use the Muscadine.

[michael coffey]

What ratio? What are the enduring characteristics of wines made from these grapes?

[Innkeeper]

That is a well kept secret by the various Cognac houses. It does vary from producer to producer. Sorry.

[glenora]

Michael

While the grapes are very important the distillation process is even more so (speaking from experience as we have a licensed still which is operated 2-3 days each week). Not sure what your experience is in that area so you may want to do lots of reading.

And for what it is worth--I am not sure how large your 10 casks are but while the Feds will over look 300-400 gallons of homemade wine (the last I knew you could legally make 200 gallons of wine as head of a household), they might not be so lenient when it comes to a product that is taxed at $13.50/proof gallon, and most states have a tax as well.

[skinny4]

Mike, you a Notre Dame fan?

[TheEngineer]

I can't believe what Stanford use to pull off..one time ND banned the Stanford band for dressing their conductor in a Nun's uniform and conducting with a cross.