Writer: Betsy Parks
Sweet Wines: Tips from the Pros
FREEDessert wines can come in many different forms — from fortified Port styles to low-alcohol German styles. All dessert wines, however, need to strike the right balance. In this issue, two professional
Making Ice Cider
FREEFor my first ever taste of ice cider, I picked up a bottle at the local wine shop during a typical all-day New England snowstorm on my way home from work. I
Entering Competitions: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYYour friends and family think your homemade wines are the best, but are they right? The best way to find out is to enter your wine in a competition. Wine competitions can also be a good way to gain feedback on wines that you may think are flawed, but you’re not sure what went wrong. In this issue, three wine judges share their advice for avoiding common mistakes when entering competitions.
Cold Soaking: Tips from the Pros
FREEMelissa Burr, Winemaker at Stoller Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon. Melissa was raised in the Willamette Valley and, after completing her BS degree, studied winemaking at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, and
Cold Soaking: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYMelissa Burr, Winemaker at Stoller Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon. Melissa was raised in the Willamette Valley and, after completing her BS degree, studied winemaking at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, and
Dollars and Sense: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYHome winemakers get into the hobby for a number of reasons, including making high quality wine for less money. But even though making your own wine can sometimes be an economical choice,
Dollars and Sense: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYHome winemakers get into the hobby for a number of reasons, including making high quality wine for less money. But even though making your own wine can sometimes be an economical choice,
Country Wine Yeast: Tips from the Pros
FREEDominic Rivard is a consultant fruit winemaker producing commercial wines in Asia, North America and Europe and author of “The Ultimate Fruit Winemaker’s Guide” at www.fruitwineguide.com. A qualified sommelier, Dominic studied winemaking
Using Enzymes: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYBen Mayo, Winemaker at Eberle Winery in Paso Robles, California. Ben has worked with Eberle for nearly ten years. He first joined as a cellar worker, later graduating to Assistant Winemaker and
Growing Organic Grapes: Tips from the Pros
FREEDavid Koball, Vineyard Manager at Bonterra Vineyards in Hopland, California. David has been growing winegrapes in Mendocino County in California for 14 years, all of it in certified Organic and Demeter certified
10 Tips for Going Pro
FREEPro winemakers share their best advice for amateurs looking to make the leap.
Blending Red and White: Tips from the Pros
FREEYou know from art class that red and white make pink, but is the same true for wine? Often rosès and blush wines are made from red grapes that are briefly exposed
Separating press runs: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYAre press cuts scientific or subjective? What about combining the free run with the press runs? Do different cuts get different treatments? If you’ve ever wondered about concerns like these, take some
25 Winemaking Tips
MEMBERS ONLYHave you ever wished you had an experienced winemaker looking over your shoulder as you prepared to harvest your first crop of grapes or tested acid levels? How about as you scratched