Technique

Hard Cider Variations: Tips from the Pros

Fall is here and there is an abundance of apples available and ready to be fermented. Three experts share advice for three different types o

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Microbial Stability

Chemical and microbial stability measures must be taken after fermentation but prior to bottle aging to protect the wine from contamination

Article

Whose Fault Was It?

Phil Plummer was one of the experienced judges at the 2022 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition. After three days of judging he

Article

Graceful Garnacha: A grape with many facets

With origins in Spain, Garnacha grapes may now be more commonly associated with the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon region of France where i

Wine-wizard

The Wine Wizard’s “Pearls of Wiz-dom”

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Using The Smoke, Campden Tablets, Getting Grape Updates, and Some Pearls of Wiz-dom

With wildfires on the rise in many wine regions around the world, smoke taint has become a common phrase. Learn about it and ways winemakers

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Determining Ripeness in Wine Grapes

Though often described in terms of °Brix, a grape’s sugar level is not the best indicator of ripeness. Get a better understanding of the

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Classic Catawba: America’s first true wine grape

Some people have called Zinfandel “America’s grape,” others say it should be Concord. Chik Brenneman is here to make the case for the

Wine-wizard

Bottling Tips and Checklist

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Bottling Tips and Wine Judge Etiquette

Bottling is typically the final step towards producing wine where a winemaker can foul things up. Get some recommendations from the Wizard o

Article

Practical Advice For Oak Chips and Volatile Acidity

Technique

Hyperoxidation

As a home winemaker, you’ve likely spent years taking every precaution at your disposal to assure that your juice does not oxidize prior t

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Four ‘Cellos

Limoncello is the most popular citrus-flavored liqueur, but they can be made from other citrus fruits as well. Learn to make four citrus liq

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White Wine Case Study

As an agricultural product, the steps to make that perfect wine may be unique every year due to differences in the fruit. The most challengi

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Fruit & Grape Blends

When a wine comes up lacking, the solution may just be blending a totally different type of wine with it. Grape wines and wines made from ot

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Boysenberry Wine: My “out-of-season” winemaking adventures

A winemaker and his brother team up to create a boysenberry wine. Join along on their adventure to crafting the perfect summer sipper.

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Cayuga White: Get hooked on its feeling

A hybrid grape that came out of Cornell University’s breeding program in the 1970s, Cayuga White has found great success while being made

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La Vie En Dry Rosé

Pink wines may have gotten a bad rap due to sweet versions that dominated in the 80s and 90s, however, dry rosé is becoming more and more p

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Malvasia Bianca: A Greek grape that has gotten around

A grape of Mediterranean origins, Malvasia grapes spread throughout the region under the umbrella name. Get the scoop on this unusual family

Wine-wizard

Tips For Making Cantaloupe Wine

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Fermentation Completion, Vinegar Storage Space and Cantaloupe Wine

A winemaker is left scratching their head when a wine that seemingly has fermented dry is still producing bubbles. The Wizard also provides

Technique

Prepping Wine For Competition

If you’ve got a wine aging in your cellar you would like unbiased, expert opinions on, then entering it in a competition for judging is on

Article

Bonarda Argentine Or Douce Noir or Charbono . . .

Grape varietal names can be a confusing world, typically because one grape varietal may have over a dozen names based on location. But in th

Article

Matching Quality Grapes With Oak And The Complexities Of Raspberry Wine

When a winemaker gets their hands on some highly coveted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, he wants to make sure that the oak quality matches the g

Wine-wizard

Dealing With Acid Issue on a Raspberry Wine