Winemaking Tips

Technique

Using Gum Arabic

Gum arabic is a natural anti-flocculant with a list of benefits that includes helping prevent tartrate crystals from forming, smoothing out

Technique

Using Dry Ice

Dry ice has numerous applications for the home winemaker who needs to chill their must or juice without watering it down. Learn more about t

Technique

Post-Fermentation Adjustments to Taste

When alcoholic fermentation is all wrapped up, most people assume that the wine is then mostly left alone to age. But winemakers know well t

Technique

Pectic Enzymes: Tips from the Pros

Three pro winemakers share how they use pectic enzymes to their advantage to maximize yields, increase color and flavor extraction, and make

Technique

Keys to Making Red Wine

If you’re a beginner planning on making a batch of red wine, here are some keys components to hone in on before you dive in.

Technique

Wine from Frozen Must: Tips from the Pros

When you want to make wines from grapes but it isn’t harvest season, one option home winemakers have is purchasing buckets of frozen must

Technique

Growing Pains: Aging and packaging big batches

As your winemaking production scales up, so does the space required to store the wine as well as the miscellaneous items that come along wit

Technique

White Wine Aromatics: Factors to guide your white wines

It’s hard not to find appeal in the aromatics of a tropical fruit or floral Sauvignon Blanc or hints of vanilla, citrus, and caramel in a

Technique

The Winemaker’s Pantry: Supplies to keep on hand

For those that are regular winemakers, the accoutrements start to add up through the years. Here is a guide for folks to consider what thing

Technique

Volatile Acidity: A little goes a long way

Many wine aficionados view volatile acidity (VA) as a very fine line between a good thing and a bad thing. Find out ways to control VA so th

Technique

Racking Strategies: Why and when to employ

While racking may seem like a tedious task at times, its impact on a wine can be profound. Learn some of the techniques that you can use and

Technique

Best of Show Tips

Technique

Blending Fruit Wines

Country wines made with multiple fruit varieties can be blended prior to fermentation or after. Learn how two professional winemakers decide

Technique

Finishing For Whites and Rosés

The time period leading up to bottling day is the time winemakers need to take advantage of last minute adjustments and additions. Bob Peak

Technique

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 highl

Technique

Using Tannins: Purposes, sources, and use in winemaking

Tannins can provide a wine with a lot more than just astringency. They can also be useful in white and rosé wines as well if used properly.

Technique

Bench Trials: Tips from the Pros

Get tips on performing bench trials at home from three pros who utilize bench trials at their day jobs.

Technique

Micro-oxidation in White Wines: Tips from the Pros

Not all white wines should be treated equally when it comes to processing juice. Here are some helpful tips and insights winemakers should c

Technique

Making Mead: Tips from the Pros

Technique

Big Reds: How To Make A Blockbuster Wine

. . .lurking inside the heads of many home winemakers is the urge to make an absolute blockbuster, a jaw-dropping, mind-bending, 800-pound g

Technique

Making La Crescent Wine: Tips from the Pros

Technique

Making Berry Fruit Wines:Tips from the Pros

Country wines come in all different styles and varieties, but berry wines are perennial favorites. Summertime brings with it a bevy of fresh

Technique

Wild Yeast Fermentations: Tips from the Pros

Lots of commercial winemakers let their wines ferment with wild yeast from the grapes and in the winery. Here we have two California winemak

Technique

Oak Alternatives: Tips from the Pros

A lot of home winemakers make small batches of wine that aren’t enough for a whole barrel. Two experts discuss their oak alternative choic

Technique

15 Keys to Winemaking Success

15 important steps, axioms, tips and recommendations to (consistent) winemaking success.