Writer: Dave Green
The Basics Of Racking Wine
FREEFor anyone that has been in the hobby for a while, you’ve seen the instructions, “Siphon wine into a vessel for aging,” or some variation of that. But tips and tricks to
Grape Skins: Start to finish
FREEGrape skins can be one of the most important components when creating some wines, while being detrimental to others. Scratch the surface of grape skins in this piece.
The Mobile “Wall-Mount” Wine Opener
FREEIf your home winemaking club runs a wine competition, you should check out this DIY stand stand that allows a high-volume wine opener to go mobile.
Oak Yeah!? When and why to add oak to wine
FREEAdding oak to a wine can add an amazing depth of character or it can detract from the fruit. Learn some keys to managing the oak in your wine.
The Importance of Temperature Control in Winemaking
FREENot properly controlling the temperature of your grapes, must, juice, or wine can have lasting impacts. Learn when and how to take control.
Getting Closure: Corkers and Cork Sizing
FREELearn about the various factors that affect a home winemaker’s decision when choosing cork size and corkers.
Corks & Closures
FREELearn about your cork and closure options when it comes to bottling
Grape Expectations
FREEHaving trouble trying to commit to starting into the hobby world, or looking for next steps in your journey into winemaker. We’ve got a few suggestions for those folks.
Backsweetening
FREENot all wines can or should be backsweetened, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn the process. Find out the basics of backsweetening.
Wine Acid 101
FREEBalance is often the key to producing a winning wine. This means knowing how to measure and adjust acidity if needed. Learn the basics of wine acids.
Chateau Latif Vineyard: An oasis on Manhattan’s Upper East Side
MEMBERS ONLYA vineyard located in the middle of Manhattan? We had to investigate. Learn about Latif Jiji and the unique vineyard that he planted and has managed now for 42 years in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Getting Hardcore with Apples
FREEGet some basic pointers for making hard cider or apple wine.
Let’s Get Macerating
FREEThe concept of maceration is a rather simple one: Take crushed grapes (or fruit) and allow the grapes — skins, seeds, and stems — a period to soak with the grape juice.
Oak Barrel Care: Tips From the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYOwning your own oak barrel can yield great rewards when handled properly. We asked the advice of two professionals that know what it takes to care for a new barrel and keep them in tip-top shape.
Widen Your Winemaking Spectrum
FREEMany winemakers and wine drinkers can get stuck in the mentality that wine is only made from Vitis vinifera grapes, and any other additions or deviations from this platform is a clear
Sparkling Wines: Tips From the Pros
FREEThis Valentine’s Day, wouldn’t it be great to break open a bottle of your own homemade bubbly? Learn from two winemakers producing highly acclaimed sparkling wines about the nuances of making them at home.
Avoiding The Winemaker’s Pitfalls
FREELearn key tips to avoid common winemaking pitfalls.
Aging Wine Kits: Tips From the Pros
FREEKit wines are often consumed fairly young, but great things can happen if you allow the bottles to age longer. Two supply shop owners give guidance and teach the basics of patience and best practices for aging kit wines.
Keys To Great White Wine
FREEA beautifully crafted white wine is a thing of beauty. If done well, a winemaker can be drinking a very nice example 8 months after harvest, plenty enough to be sipping one
Crafting Pinot Noir Wines
MEMBERS ONLYFinesse the legendary grape from Burgundy.
Fortify It! Adding Spirits To Your Wine
MEMBERS ONLYYour first fortified wine can be a little intimidating. What method are you going to utilize? Sweet or dry? What type of spirits are you going to use? Then again, maybe you’re
Fantastic Fermentations
FREECareful attention must be paid to fermentation to achieve great wine. We gathered experts from four different yeast laboratories to glean advice on selecting yeast strains, co-inoculation, optimal fermentation conditions, and more.
Your First Lug of Grapes
FREEBuying your first lug of grapes can be intimidating, but it does not need to be. Get some pointers before committing to your first box of grapes.
Dealing with Excessive Heat in the Vineyard
MEMBERS ONLYRelentless heat can be an anxious time for winegrape growers. But the worry of vineyard heat stress doesn’t need to cause stress in the grape-grower’s life. Two professional winemakers discuss dealing with excessive heat in your own vineyard.
Microoxidation in White Wines: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYNot all white wines should be treated equally when it comes to processing juice. Here are some helpful tips and insights winemakers should consider when they approach their next batch of white wine — when to go for a more oxidative approach to the juice and when to go for less.