Date: Aug-Sep 2017
Topping Up Your Wine
FREEWhat does “topping up” mean and when should it be done?
Wine Press Mold Growth and Magnesium Sulfate Vineyard Sprays
MEMBERS ONLYIt’s very possible this mold bloom was caused by a change in the weather or a change in your cellar environment.
Wine is a Wonder
FREEAs a veteran winemaker, some of the initial joys of winemaking begin to fade, however as the winemaker understands more about the process and becomes more in tune with the wine, the potential for new astonishments arise.
Sugar and Acid Wine Adjustments
MEMBERS ONLYPerfectly ripe. That is how most winemakers — amateur and professional — want the grape crop to come in for every vintage. “Perfectly ripe” involves a whole host of factors. For home winemakers, the first one we usually look at is the sugar content in degrees Brix or specific gravity (SG). With some target in
Your Best Crush and Press
FREEYou can never be too prepared in your winery when the grapes come in from harvest. Follow our guidelines for crush and press success.
Ruby Cabernet
MEMBERS ONLYWhen I started graduate school at UC-Davis in 1995, one of my first classes was a seminar series. Being the first session of the academic year, a round of introductions started the session. It was the usual “my name is . . ., my specialty is…, and I have been at UC-Davis for … years.”
Wine Press Mold Growth
MEMBERS ONLYAh, yes, the joys of wood. We use wood in the winery for barrels and barrel-alternatives of course but, especially for the small-scale winemaker, wooden presses are still often part of our crush equipment. It’s interesting, but not strange, that this mold pops up periodically. I would scrutinize your ambient humidity and temperature; it’s very
Cold-Climate Grape Growing: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYEven the most ideal climates for growing grapes face certain hardships, but growing vines in colder climates definitely have more than their share. Get tips on what to grow and what precautions to take from three pros in various colder climates. Winemaker: Coenraad Stassen, Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, Traverse City, Michigan There are just
Year in a Life of a Wine Part VI (Bulk Aging and Bottling)
MEMBERS ONLYIn the final installment of our year-long series, the wines are bulk aged, oaked, and bottled.
Magnesium Sulfate Vineyard Sprays
MEMBERS ONLYMagnesium Sulfate (MgSO4), AKA Epsom salts, is a very common vineyard amendment. It can be applied as a foliar spray during the growing season to provide vines with magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium, especially, is critical for photosynthesis. I talked to Hans Walter-Peterson, Viticultural Extension Specialist with Cornell University about the use of magnesium sulfate sprays
Homemade Wine Press
MEMBERS ONLYA reader shares plans for his homemade wine press.
How Wine Yeast Works
MEMBERS ONLYIn addition to alcoholic fermentation, the yeast used to ferment wine also metabolize other substances into byproducts. Learn more about how wine yeast works.