Alex Russan

Article

Evaluating Wine: Being mindful of the sensory experience

Using all your senses when tasting wine is always encouraged by wine evaluation experts, but make sure that you are taking in the whole expe

Technique

Maceration Enzymes: Making the most of these additions

There are a lot of enzyme products available to winemakers, but in general they can be broken into just a few classes. Learn when and why a

Article

Sur Lie Aging

Aging wines on the lees can add aromatic complexity, soften tannins, enrich mouthfeel, protect it from oxygen, feed malolactic bacteria, and

Technique

White Wine Aromatics: Factors to guide your white wines

It’s hard not to find appeal in the aromatics of a tropical fruit or floral Sauvignon Blanc or hints of vanilla, citrus, and caramel in a

Article

Live Chat with Alex Russan

Live Chat with Alex Russan, which took place on December 18, 2020.

Technique

Oak and Barrel Dynamics: Do’s and don’ts when it comes to wine and oak

The role of oak in our wines can fall on a broad spectrum and the type of oak products used can change the dynamics. Make sure you’ve got

Article

Red Wine Fermentation Considerations

Article

Albariño

Technique

Volatile Acidity: A little goes a long way

Many wine aficionados view volatile acidity (VA) as a very fine line between a good thing and a bad thing. Find out ways to control VA so th

Article

Making Berry Good Wines

Get tips on the unique aspects of making berry wines. Award-winning recipes included!

Technique

Racking Strategies: Why and when to employ

While racking may seem like a tedious task at times, its impact on a wine can be profound. Learn some of the techniques that you can use and

Article

Live Chat with Alex Russan

Live Chat with Alex Russan, which took place on December 19, 2019.

Article

When The Acid Kicks In: Don’t just factualize, conceptualize acid in wine

Getting a wine’s acid levels right plays a big role in perception and profile, but numbers only tell part of the story. Don’t just use n

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

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

Article

Dessert Wines

Perfect for after-dinner treats, dessert wines are some of the most complex wines in the world. Get tips for making your own icewine, Sherry

Article

Chat with Alex Russan

Live Chat with Alex Russan, which took place on December 12, 2018.

Article

SO₂ Fundamentals

Sulfites get a bad rap in the world outside of true wine aficionados. Alex Russan takes readers on a journey through the world of sulfites a

Article

Cherry Picking Grapes

A good grape sorter is fast, efficient, and always with a keen eye towards prioritizing what grapes to use and what grapes to discard. Alex

Article

A Walk Alongside Ripeness

How ripe your grapes are when picked is one of the most important factors in determining what your wine will taste like. Here is a closer lo

Article

Fermentation Dynamics

There are temperature ranges advisable for fermenting all wine styles, but how does each end of that range affect the aroma, taste, and body

Technique

Matching Wine Style to Vineyard Site

Evaluate the specific aspects of your vineyard site to determine the best wine style to grow on your property.

Article

Choosing A Wine Press

There are two common options to choose between when it comes time for home winemakers to press their grapes. Take time to weigh the benefits

Technique

Impact of Oxygen on Winemaking

Oxygen’s presence or absence at the various stages of winemaking can have extraordinarily important and lasting effects on what our wines