Writer: Dawson Raspuzzi
Preparing Country Fruit
FREEHow should fruit be prepared before using it to make country wines? Let’s have a look…
Making Chambourcin Wine: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYDeveloped commercially 50 years ago, Chambourcin is a versatile grape that is most prevalently grown in the Mid-Atlantic. Producing deep red colors and strong aromas, Chambourcin grapes are used either to stand-alone or in blended wines that run the gamut from dinner wines to dessert wines to sparkling wines. Rick Hall joined Chateau Morrisette in
Determining Ripeness
FREEHow do you know when it’s time to pull the trigger on harvest? Here’s an introductory look for your first harvest.
Making Sparkling Wine: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYThese three pros offer up tips to make your own sparkling wine at home. Steve DiFrancesco is the Winemaker for Glenora Wine Cellars in Dundee, New York. If you’re going for a classic elegance in your sparkling wine you want very delicate flavors from the grapes because the effervescence is going to elevate the aromatics;
What’s that in my Kit?
FREEAn introduction to what you’ll find in your first wine kit.
Making Sangiovese: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYSangiovese is primarily associated with wines from Italy, especially from the Tuscany region. However, there are also a number of vineyards in the New World growing Sangiovese. The 2012 California Grape Crush Report shows winemakers in the state crushed 9,400 tons of Sangiovese. Here are two pros who contributed to that number. Steven Kirby is
Cleaning and Sanitation for Beginners
FREEAn introduction to cleaning and sanitation for beginners.
Wine Evaluation: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYTo make good wine one must understand what good wine is and, alternatively, understand and be able to detect wine faults. Anyone can learn to evaluate wine, and as a winemaker it is critical to be able to identify wine faults. If you want to learn where to begin, taking tips from these pros is
Organic Grape Growing: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYGrowing grapes organically, like any other crop, is often more work than using synthetic fertilizers, solutions and sprays. But in the end, many winemakers who embrace organic growing believe the resulting wines display the purity of the fruit the way that Mother Nature intended. Joy Andersen is a pioneer of the modern-day Washington State wine
Preventing Oxidation
FREEAn introduction to preventing oxidation of your wine.
Whole Cluster Pressing: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYWhole cluster pressing (foregoing the step of crushing and destemming the grapes) is most often done to make high-end white wines. The technique creates a more delicate and less astringent wine by reducing the contact time with the stems and skins. Jason Burrus is the Winemaker for Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia. He has a
Making Late Harvest Wines: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYLate harvest wines are made using grapes affected by the mold Botrytis, which dehydrates the grapes. We’ve pooled advice from three pros with numerous accolades for their dessert wines to help you make an award-winning late harvest wine at home. Joe Hudon is entering his 5th harvest as the Winemaker at Claar Cellars, an estate
Vineyard Winter Maintenance: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYAll done using their energy to grow shoots, grapes and leaves, vines in the winter begin storing water prior to the first frost and then go into dormancy. That doesn’t mean those who look after the vineyard lay dormant though. Peter Brehm is the owner of Brehm Vineyards and also grows grapes at his White
Stopping Fermentation
FREELearn how to stop fermentation before reaching dryness, plus when and why a winemaker may wish to do so.
Tomato, Jalapeño, Dandelion Wines: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYLooking to try something new? You can make unique and wonderful wines from plants found in your garden or even growing wild in your backyard. Winemaker and Owner of TSJ Wine Blenders in Roseville, Michigan. Tom began as a home winemaker about 1990 utilizing grapes from his father’s small farm. Compliments on their wines led
Making Apple Wine: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYWhen life gives you apples … Get tips on making various apple wine styles from the winemakers at Door Peninsula Winery (who makes sweet and a dry, barrel-aged version), Brookview Station Winery (semi-dry) and Domaine Pinnacle (apple icewine). Paul Santoriello has been involved in all facets of the wine industry including vineyard work, research, sensory
Troubleshooting Home Vineyards: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYTo make the best wine, you need the best grapes. And that requires a lot of work in your hobby vineyard. Get tips on what to look for and when to look for it so you stay one step ahead of potential problems that could derail your crop. Ed Kwiek established his own cold-climate home
Using Pectic Enzymes
FREEWhen and how to use pectic enzymes.
Sourcing Grapes
FREEWant to make wine from fresh grapes but not sure how to go about getting them? Here’s an introduction about sourcing grapes.
Pairing Wine and Food: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYThere are many views on how to properly pair your wine and food for the most enjoyable dining experience. Three experts illustrate this while offering advice. Chef: Mark Molinaro, Northern Arizona University at the W. A. Franke College of Business’ School of Hotel and Restaurant Management professor The most basic principle in wine pairing is
Wine Blending: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYVarietal wines are great, but there is only so much that can be done when working with a single grape variety. To create a truly complex wine, try blending multiple varieties that complement each other. Winemaker: Kimberlee Nicholls, Markham Cellars, Napa Valley, California True blends are very challenging to create. I approach blending like cooking; sometimes
Design a Great Home Wine Label
FREEYou are already proud of the wine you made, but when it comes time to share or gift your wine, you want to be proud of the packaging too. Use these tips from label design pros to get you started.
Sur Lie Aging & Bâttonage
FREEAn introduction to sur lie aging and why you may want to consider it for your next batch.
Pesticides in the Vineyard: Tips from the Pros
MEMBERS ONLYGrowing grapes is a lot of work. In addition to wildlife, many varieties are susceptible to disease that, if unprotected against, can claim your vines very quickly. Two pros from different regions detail how they protect their vines from disease. Winemaker: Bernie Parker, Oliver Winery, Bloomington, Indiana For south-central Indiana where we usually have cool,
Keeping Notes in the Winery
FREEWhy it is important for winemakers to take notes, and what information should always be recorded.