Date: Jun-Jul 2008
Are any of the direct hybrids suitable for hot and dry climates?
MEMBERS ONLYGrape varieties for dry climates I live in an area that gets about 10” of rain a year. I have read that Grenache and Mourvèdre do well in hot and dry climates but what about hybrids? Are any of the direct hybrids suitable for hot and dry climates? Would Norton do well in such a
We’ve all heard of comments about sulfites causing headaches…
MEMBERS ONLYShellfish and chitosan We’ve all heard of comments about sulfites or phenolic compounds causing headaches, but I use chitosan and kielsosol for clarifying agents. Chitosan is made from shellfish byproducts — could these cause an allergic reaction (headaches?) to those who are allergic to shrimp or lobster? Ray Ruthenberg Woodbine, Illinois Though I’m no medical
Zinfandel to Zinfromhell
FREEI have a confession: my father was a life-long university chemistry professor who was never proud of his eldest son’s chemistry grades. Sure, I could play “Chem-O” with the best of them!
Ten Signs of a Healthy Vineyard
MEMBERS ONLYA healthy backyard vineyard is a treasure. It can produce delicious wine, serve as a wonderful setting from which to appreciate the miracles of nature and offer a leafy refuge from the pressures and stresses of modern life. Whether it’s a dozen vines up against a fence in Los Angeles or two acres on a
Edelweiss: Varietal Focus
MEMBERS ONLYEdelweiss is best known as the European mountain flower with a pleasing floral scent. The 1959 Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “The Sound of Music,” immortalized the Edelweiss flower as Captain Georg Ritter von Trapp sang of its hardiness to bloom, die and bloom again. It is the flower of kings and emperors symbolizing strength, love,
Chitosan, dry climate grapes: Wine Wizard
MEMBERS ONLYShellfish and chitosan We’ve all heard of comments about sulfites or phenolic compounds causing headaches, but I use chitosan and kielsosol for clarifying agents. Chitosan is made from shellfish byproducts — could these cause an allergic reaction (headaches?) to those who are allergic to shrimp or lobster? Ray Ruthenberg Woodbine, Illinois Though I’m no medical
10 Great Gadgets
MEMBERS ONLYIn this 10th anniversary issue of WineMaker magazine, we present 10 items that will make your home winemaking more enjoyable. From old mechanical standy-bys to new computerized state-of-the-art doo-dads, here’s a list that every gadget junkie will want to ponder. 1. Hand refractometer ($80+) For anyone growing their own vines or evaluating fresh grapes they
10 Winemaking Techniques You Should Know
FREEQ. What is the difference between good and superlative wines? A. The WOW! factor. A good wine offers everything that the varietal or style is meant to provide. While it can provide
How to Make 10 Classic Wines
MEMBERS ONLYMost books about home winemaking feature sections on “Making Red Wine” and “Making White Wine.” But when real, live vintners, amateur or professional, clean out their fermenters and get down to business, they’re not making red or white — they’re making Zinfandel or Riesling, or aiming to put together a Bordeaux-style blend. Maybe you’ll be
10 Tips for Country Winemaking
FREEIn the beginning, there was wine . . . just wine. There wasn’t “wine” (made from grapes) and “country wine” (made from fruits other than grapes). A pomegranate wine is mentioned in