Topic: Varietals-and-Wine-Styles
Colorful Carménère
MEMBERS ONLYSimilar to a varietal like Malbec, Carménère has come to be identified with the wine growing regions of South America, but this grape actually was one of the classics of Bordeaux. Chik Brenneman explains the history of this varietal and how to tame this grape when it gets temperamental.
Grenache Blanc: Some lessons from the Old World
MEMBERS ONLYGrenache Blanc is a grape from the northwestern region of Spain and, as the name implies, has evolved from Grenache Noir. Chik Brenneman provides instructions on making this grape shine, starting in the vineyard and taking it through to bottle.
Cinsault: The grape that could . . .
MEMBERS ONLYOne of the mainstay grapes found in the heat-prone regions in the Rhône Valley of France is Cinsault. It often is utilized in blends to add softness to Rhône-style wines. Another great use is to turn it into rosé wine. Chik Brenneman gives you the scoop on this varietal.
LaCrosse or La Crosse? True diversity in a grape
MEMBERS ONLYElmer Swenson helped revolutionize the greater wine world with his cold-hardy grape breeding program. One such grape varietal that emerged from all his work was LaCrosse, with five species of grapes in its heritage. Learn about this grape made popular in colder climates — for good reasons.
Rosy Roussanne: A grape that doesn’t mind a little heat
MEMBERS ONLYIn its homeland in the south of France, Roussanne grapes love some heat . . . probably one reason that it’s found a new home in the Texas Hill Country. Learn about this white grape that can stand up to being a varietal wine when conditions are right or blended with others.
Primitivo: The early-ripening varietal
MEMBERS ONLYAnyone well versed in wine grape nomenclature knows that Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically identical. Yet test trials have shown there are some differences with grape types. Learn some of the history and best practices when handling Primitivo.
Malbecs Around the Globe
MEMBERS ONLY25 years ago, Argentina’s leading red grape, Malbec, was relatively unknown to Americans. Some wine lovers probably knew the grape from Bordeaux blends. A few aficionados may have tried an inky black
Fruit Port From Puree
MEMBERS ONLYDessert wine paired with a sweet pie, savory cheese, or fine cigar is one of the best ways to finish off an excellent meal. Home winemakers have a variety of dessert wine
Baco Noir: The emigration of a French hybrid
MEMBERS ONLYOriginally bred in southwestern France, Baco Noir is a French-American hybrid whose acreage has declined in its native country, but has since emigrated to American soil. Learn about this grape that has found success in some cooler-climate North American vineyards.
Pinot Meunier: The forgotten grape of Champagne
MEMBERS ONLYWhen it comes to the grapes found in Champagne, most casual wine drinkers can point to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but Pinot Meunier is often left off that list. Find out about the forgotten grape of Champagne, its history, and why you may want to give it a try if you can.
The Many Sides of Chardonnay
MEMBERS ONLYIf Cabernet is the King of Grapes, Chardonnay is probably the Queen. It’s the most popular wine among US drinkers with about 20% market share, and in California there’s more of this
Foxy Concord: Finding the sweet spot with this American classic
MEMBERS ONLYThe grape of North America, Concord has come to dominate the grape juice and jelly markets, but making a solid wine with it can require a little more care than most vinifera grapes. Chik Brenneman digs deep to come up with a solid game plan to making a worthy wine from this grape variety.
Get groovy with Grüner Veltliner
MEMBERS ONLYTowards the end of the fall 2018 harvest I was looking for a little respite in my calendar, and I came across an appointment scheduled for a Friday night in late November
Sugar Conversion Tables, Making Wine from Sugar Cane: Wine Wizard
MEMBERS ONLYSugar solution I am fairly new to home winemaking having only made a few kits and three batches of Muscadine wine. I have been using Daniel Pambianchi’s book Techniques in Home Winemaking
Grape Profiles
MEMBERS ONLYHere are some abbreviated profiles for lesser known wine grapes varietals: Baco Noir: Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com A hybrid red grape varietal whose parentage is linked to the French grape Folle Blanche,
Beyond Beaujolais: Get acquainted with Gamay Noir
MEMBERS ONLYPhoto courtesy of Shutterstock.com Wine brings people together. This is cause for great reflection for me personally because as you read this, I will have been retired from the University of California
A Quicker Route to Bubbles
MEMBERS ONLYMaking non-traditional sparkling wine at home through force carbonation is simple and can yield amazing results. With just a few pieces of equipment, one can make delicious bubbly in a matter of
Méthode Champenoise
MEMBERS ONLYI realized early on that as a sparkling producer I would have to embrace the cold. To produce méthode Champenoise sparkling wine one must accept that it is going to be a
Italian Techniques for Bubbles
MEMBERS ONLYThere are many ways to make sparkling or spritzy wines. An Italian winemaker offers tips for two methods used in regions of Italy — Governo and metodo
ancestrale — and how home winemakers everywhere can use them at home.
Riesling Revisited
MEMBERS ONLYRiesling is one of the noble grapes of Germany and can produce a wide array of complex white wines. Learn some of the key elements and techniques that winemakers can utilize when crafting wine from these grapes.
KMBS Lifespan & Lambrusco Grapes
MEMBERS ONLYQ I have a question about sanitizing. I just mixed a fresh batch of potassium metabisulfite (1.5 oz. powder to 1 gallon water) to sanitize my equipment, and this latest batch has
Dessert Wines
MEMBERS ONLYPerfect for after-dinner treats, dessert wines are some of the most complex wines in the world. Get tips for making your own icewine, Sherry-style, and Port-style wines at home.
Stable Sémillon
MEMBERS ONLYSémillon is a grape variety that is used to produce some of the great white wines of Bordeaux. Learn about what makes this grape so versatile and one that breaks the conception that white wine should be consumed young.
Discussing Pros v. Cons of Pinot Noir
MEMBERS ONLYPinot Noir has quite a reputation. Often known as the “Heartbreak Grape” and lovingly discussed, dissected, and degustated (is that even a word?) by rabid Pinot-philes the world over, Pinot Noir was
Aperitifs
FREEWhen you make your own aperitif wines at home — such as sweet and dry vermouth — you can then make your own cocktails with them. Learn the basics of making these drinks, plus three cocktail recipes sure to appease even your guests who aren’t wine drinkers.