Dec 11/Jan 12

We review the top 100 wine kits of 2011. Plus, award-winning winemaking tips, go big with petite Sirah, and techniques for making dessert wine.

In this issue

article
Preventing Oxidation, Excess Sulfite
By Alison Crowe
article
Nero d’Avola: The red grape of Sicily
By Chik Brenneman
. . . Sicily’s legacy of red wine is all about Nero d’Avola, second only to Catarratto Bianco. There are almost 18,000 hectares (about 46,000 acres) of Nero in Sicily.
wine-wizard
I accidentally made my sulfite solution at 20%. Is the wine still drinkable?
By Alison Crowe
wine-wizard
Should I try using carbon dioxide whenever I rack to expel oxygen. Or should I bottle sooner?
By Alison Crowe
technique
Award-Winning Red Winemakers Roundtable
By Betsy Parks
Three amateur winemakers with shelves full of medals to their names for their homemade wines share advice for making great reds.
article
Sweet Wines: Tips from the Pros
By Betsy Parks
Two pro winemakers share advice for home winemakers to make sweet wine at home
article
The Devil is in the Details: Dry Finish
By David Muscalo • Lafayette, New Jersey
technique
Enjoying Dessert Wine Kits
By Tim Vandergrift