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Feb/Mar 2019

Tips on crafting your own ice wine, sherry-style and port-style wines. Plus, DIY grape-growing stakes and how to prevent volatile acidity.

In this issue

  • article

    Grape Halos (DIY Grape Growing Stakes)

    Want to plant grapevines, but not necessarily enough to warrant a full-scale trellis and all the work and expense that goes along with it? Here are two alternative DIY projects for small-scale vineyards.

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    Prevent Volatile Acidity

    Volatile acidity (VA) is a flaw that can ruin the aroma of a wine. Explore what exactly VA is, why it is such a problem, and techniques to avoid VA in the future.

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    2019 Label Contest Winners

    View all of the winning labels from WineMaker’s 19th annual label contest.

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    Dessert Wines

    Perfect for after-dinner treats, dessert wines are some of the most complex wines in the world. Get tips for making your own icewine, Sherry-style, and Port-style wines at home.

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    Recipes of Burgundy

    If you’ve ever visited Burgundy, France, then you likely know all about how important pairing the right wine and food dish are. Here, we share recipes for a three-course meal as well as their perfect pairings for your Burgundian-style wines.

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    The Winemakers’ Renaissance

    Home winemakers are living in the golden age of the hobby. One reader sits down to reflect on the great resources that are available to those of us who appreciate the joys of crafting wine at home.

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    Sparkling Wines: Tips From the Pros

    This Valentine’s Day, wouldn’t it be great to break open a bottle of your own homemade bubbly? Learn from two winemakers producing highly acclaimed sparkling wines about the nuances of making them at home.

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    Vine Budbreak: Early season tips

    For viticulturalists, the time between budbreak and bloom is often a time to let the vines do their thing. But Wes Hagen explains that a little maintenance and care in this growth phase can save grape growers lots of time and hassle later in the year.

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    Stable Sémillon

    Sémillon is a grape variety that is used to produce some of the great white wines of Bordeaux. Learn about what makes this grape so versatile and one that breaks the conception that white wine should be consumed young.

  • article

    Avoiding The Winemaker’s Pitfalls

    Learn key tips to avoid common winemaking pitfalls.

  • article

    Gum Arabic, Chilled Reds, and Pinot Noir Advice

    A reader wonders about the usefulness of gum arabic in their winemaking process. The Wiz also talks about chilled red wines, the ups and downs of Pinot Noir, and increasing mouthfeel in your wines.

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    Increasing A Wine’s Mouthfeel

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    Discussing Pros v. Cons of Pinot Noir

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    Chilled Red Wines

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    Gum Arabic

  • technique

    Monitoring Your Wine: What to test for and when

    There are some winemakers who practice the age-old philosophy that the wine will take care of itself . . . but for those who want to produce the best wines possible, monitoring is key. Bob Peak takes readers through the what, why, and when for testing your wines.

  • article

    2019 Backyard Vine Directory

    Grow your own grapes? Thinking of starting a backyard vineyard? Now is the time to plan your spring. Here is a list of suppliers where you can purchase grapevines and/or supplies for your home vineyard…