Aug-Sep 2011
The Safety of Brass Fittings
AYou might be encouraged to know that brass fittings have a long and storied history in winemaking. In fact, if you travel the back roads of Europe and poke your head into
Off Odors, Port-Style Wines, and Brass Fittings
QI recently bottled a batch of Cabernet Sauvignon, which tastes fine but has an off odor. I keep all my notes and regularly follow the same procedures. I buy my juice already
Determining Ripeness
Determining when grapes are ready to harvest is one of the most important decisions of the entire vintage. Here’s what to look for.
Merlot: Noble grape of Bordeaux
. . . Merlot is the most common grape variety grown in France with about 280,000 acres.
I am new to homemade winemaking and I want to begin making Port-style wines.
Welcome to the wonderful world of fortified winemaking! Making Port-style dessert wines is really fun. One of the side benefits of making these types of wines is that fortified wines are typically
I recently bottled a batch of Cabernet Sauvignon, which tastes fine but has an off odor.
I wish I could help you out with your off-odor issue a little bit more than I think I’ll be able to. Because you didn’t include many details about what your off
Buying Fresh Grapes
If you are lucky enough to live on the West Coast of the United States, near a winegrowing region, getting grapes is relatively easy. However, living on the East Coast — or anywhere that is not near an established viticultural area — does not mean you cannot get quality wine grapes. Here are some keys to success when buying grapes shipped from a distant location.
Understanding Yeasts
Without yeast, there can be no wine. But the role of wine yeast goes well beyond alcoholic fermentation — the biochemical process of converting sugar into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeast
Choosing A Wine Yeast Strain
Yeast selection is one of the most important winemaking decisions as the chosen yeast strain is, to a large extent, what shapes the wine, influences organoleptic (sensory) qualities, and reduces the risk
Urban Growth: Dry Finish
Chris Henry in his San Diego “Urban Microvineyard.” The yard looks great. What are those?” inquires a woman from the sidewalk, looking in the direction of my four vibrant green grapevines. “Those
