Posts

• Article

  Blending Guidance and Smoke Taint Mitigation

  Winemaking may be more a science, but blending is definitely an art. The Wizard has some tips for a rookie winemaker looking to possibly ble

• Article

  Story Behind The Label

  We saw a lot of cool looking amateur wine labels in our 2023 label contest but nothing quite as unique as these. Check out these labels from

• Article

  Live Chat with Bob Peak

  Live Chat with Bob Peak that took place on January 24, 2023.

• Article

  Live Chat with Jason Phelps

  Live Chat with Jason Phelps that took place on February 28, 2023.

• Article

  Sulfur Dioxide: Fact and Myth

  Winemakers have a lot of misconceptions about sulfur dioxide and its use in winemaking. Though somewhat controversial, longtime wine educato

• Article

  2023 Label Contest Winners

  We received hundreds of entries into this year’s WineMaker Label Contest. It is time to reveal the winners.

• Article

  World-Class Week in Bordeaux

  We recap and share photos from a weeklong trip WineMaker readers and Publisher Brad Ring spent visiting wineries and experiencing all that

• Article

  Let’s Start Making Wine

  Are you or a friend new to the hobby of winemaking? Don’t worry — WineMaker’s Technical Editor Bob Peak is here to explain the basics

• Article

  Craft Beer-Influenced Winemaking

  A trend has emerged from the world of craft beer as some notable brewers have begun releasing wines. What sets these wines apart is an unusu

• Article

  High Rows, Full Hearts

  WineMaker’s Associate Publisher Kiev Rattee traveled to a friend’s vineyard to help with the most recent harvest. There is something mag

• Article

  Viticulture Tips

  The 2023 growing season is just around the corner and it’s time to think about ways to improve your viticultural practices. Here are 10 ti

• Article

  Notably Norton

  A grape with a proud following regionally, Norton has roots that remain shrouded in a fog. Learn about its past, how to best tend to it in t

• Article

  Oak-Aging Advice and Strategies for a Chaptalization Mistake

  Maintaining wine while it ages in oak is an important task. Make sure you are taking the appropriate steps. Also, a winemaker can’t get th

• Article

  Live Chat with Phil Plummer

  Live Chat with Phil Plummer that took place on December 21, 2022.

• Article

  Red Bordeaux-Style Blends: Tips from the Pros

  Three pros making high-end red Bordeaux-style blends share their advice on crafting these complex, elegant wines.

• Article

  Live Chat with Chik Brenneman

  Live Chat with Chik Brenneman that took place on November 30, 2022.

• Article

  The Science of Winemaking

  There is a lot of chemistry involved in winemaking — the better you understand it, the better chance you have of consistently making quali

• Article

  Protection from the Elements

  Heat (protein) and cold (bitartrate) stability issues in wine cause off-putting aesthetic defects that are often brought to light after the

• Article

  Medal-Winning Dessert Kit Tips

  Following the directions that come with your wine kit will result in very good wine, but sometimes experimenting is part of the fun. Three a

• Article

  Top 100 Wine Kits of 2022

  More than 400 wines made from kits were judged at the 2022 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. Many received recognition; and

• Article

  Wine Pairing For the Holidays

  A time for friends and family to gather and celebrate, the holiday season is best paired with good food and wine. Be sure you plan ahead to

• Article

  U.S. Tasting Team

  October 2022, a team of four super wine-tasting women (who are also amateur winemakers) traveled to Champagne, France, along with their coac

• Article

  Verdant Verdejo

  Spain’s fifth most planted white wine grape, Verdejo, enjoys warm climates while being able to retain some acidity. Learn the merits of th

• Article

  Tasting Wine In Stages and Bottling Blues

  As a winemaker evolves, learning how to evaluate their wine during different stages of maturation can be key. The Wine Wizard has some thoug

• Article

  Live Chat with Jef Stebben

  Live Chat with Jef Stebben that took place on October 27, 2022.