Oct-Nov 2012
Lysozyme, Adding Sugar, and Oak Alternatives
Excluding bacteria that can eat malic acid and turn it into lactic acid is the only way to make sure you don’t get refermentation in the bottle.
Growing Rhône: Varietals to try in your backyard
An overview of the Rhone varieties you may be able to grow in your own backyard.
Making White Wines with Less Sulfite
Managing oxygen is key in making reduced-sulfite or sulfite-free wines. A dissolved oxygen (DO) meter is a wise investment; you can buy a portable model for less than $300. Then you can
Tannin Chemistry in Wine
It all starts with phenol. The tannins in wine make up one of the subgroups in a larger chemical family known as polyphenols. Those, in turn, are made up of phenol-derived molecules
Build a Ladder-Style Wine Rack
There are lots of different styles of racking you can use in your cellar, so it’s worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of each as you work out the details of your
10 Italian Red Wines to Make at Home
NEBBIOLO Nebbiolo derives its name from nebbia, in reference to the foggy conditions under which it is typically harvested, and possibly from nobile, as it is considered the most noble of Italian
Chenin Blanc: The taste of terroir
Viticulturists in the Loire Valley tend to describe its flavor as an expression of the terroir of the land.
Can Lysozyme Arrest MLF?
In my day job in Napa, California (as Winemaker for Garnet Vineyards as well as other consulting projects) I bottle plenty of “partial ML” Chardonnay every year and love the style. In
Oak Alternatives: Tips from the Pros
A lot of home winemakers make small batches of wine that aren’t enough for a whole barrel. Thankfully there are lots of options for those of us making only a few gallons
Prepping Your First Barrel
Tips for beginners on how to prepare their first barrel.
Sugar Options For Fruit Wine
Cane sugar, or sucrose, derived from the sugar cane plant, has a chemical structure of C12H22O11, is a di-saccharide comprised of the mono-saccharides glucose and fructose and is found in many plant
Making the Most of Your Winery Visit
Heading to wine country is a field trip for adults. You’ve got beautiful scenery, interesting people, new beverages to enjoy and an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of
Making the Most of Your Winery Visit
Heading to wine country is a field trip for adults. You’ve got beautiful scenery, interesting people, new beverages to enjoy and an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle
Young Wine Kits: Wine Kits
Back in the April-May 2002 issue of WineMaker I wrote an article about picking the right wine kit. The McGuffin of the article was the idea that there was a right
Quick Drinking Wine Kits
In this article I’ll be discussing “vinfanticide,” which is wines to drink on bottling day (or before). And in the next issue I’ll cover super-early drinking wines (under three months of age).
Orange County Competition: Dry Finish
On June 9th, members of the Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) gathered at oh-dark-thirty at the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California for our 36th annual Homewine Competition,
