technique

Technique

Classes, Clubs, and Consultants: Getting expert help at home

Feedback is one of the quintessential parts of growing and learning in this hobby. There are many avenues a hobby grape grower and winemaker

Technique

Backsweetening

Not all wines can or should be backsweetened, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn the process. Find out the basics of backsweeteni

Technique

Purchasing Grapes

Technique

Ciao Vino! Home winemaking in Italy

Home winemaking in Italy traces its roots back to the pre-Roman Empire. While North American home winemaking roughly parallels how the Itali

Technique

Extraction Decisions: Keying into the details of maceration

With harvest just around the corner, it’s time to study up on your extraction plan for this year’s grapes. Alex Russan looks at some of

Technique

Visualize Sensory Evaluation: Utilizing spider charts to compare wines

Winemakers new and experienced will often compare different wines and make mental notes about the experience. For those that want to improve

Technique

Best of Show Tips

Technique

Blending Fruit Wines

Country wines made with multiple fruit varieties can be blended prior to fermentation or after. Learn how two professional winemakers decide

Technique

Off The Beaten Path: Spice, herb, and vegetable winemaking

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Let’s Get Macerating

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A Quicker Route to Bubbles

Technique

Italian Techniques for Bubbles

There are many ways to make sparkling or spritzy wines. An Italian winemaker offers tips for two methods used in regions of Italy — Govern

Technique

Lees and You: Dead yeast can be your friend

Aging on fine lees has traditionally been reserved for Muscadets, white Burgundy wines, and classic champenoise-style wines, but that doesnâ

Technique

Finishing For Whites and Rosés

The time period leading up to bottling day is the time winemakers need to take advantage of last minute adjustments and additions. Bob Peak

Technique

Sparkling Wines: Tips From the Pros

This Valentine’s Day, wouldn’t it be great to break open a bottle of your own homemade bubbly? Learn from two winemakers producing highl

Technique

Monitoring Your Wine: What to test for and when

There are some winemakers who practice the age-old philosophy that the wine will take care of itself . . . but for those who want to produce

Technique

Thinking Outside the Bottle: Presenting Your Homemade Wine

With the holiday season approaching, presenting your homemade wine to friends and family should be a point of pride. Bob Peak offers readers

Technique

Aging Wine Kits: Tips From the Pros

Kit wines are often consumed fairly young, but great things can happen if you allow the bottles to age longer. Two supply shop owners give g

Technique

Using Tannins: Purposes, sources, and use in winemaking

Tannins can provide a wine with a lot more than just astringency. They can also be useful in white and rosé wines as well if used properly.

Technique

Red Hybrid Winemaking

There are some intricacies when making red table wines from hybrid grapes that vinifera winemakers don’t experience — from growing pract

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Bench Trials: Tips from the Pros

Get tips on performing bench trials at home from three pros who utilize bench trials at their day jobs.

Technique

Wine Filtration 101

Technique

10 Tips for a Successful Harvest Day

For the home vineyardist, harvest day is the most important — or at least the busiest — day of the year. Planning and preparation is cri

Technique

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.

Technique

Making Wine From Juice