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Sulfites: Fact Vs. Fiction Part 1(Post)
The use of sulfites is one of the hottest debates in winemaking. It is such an important topic, it will be addressed in two separate blog posts. Part two will be in your next newsletter. First let’s ...
Sulfites: Fact Vs. Fiction Part 2(Post)Part two of our article on Sulfites will discuss the history of its use in winemaking, its benefits and the pitfalls of omitting them. Part one was premised by a notion of purism in winemaking as a r ...
Avoiding Sulfites in Wine? You Likely Ate Two Bottles Worth by Lunch(Post)Most people consume more sulfites before dinner than they will ever get from drinking wine. If you are avoiding sulfites in wine, it is worth taking a closer look at where sulfites actually appear in ...
What Can Natural Flavorings Do for your Fruit Wines? A Lot! (Post)If you have compared your fruit wines to commercial bottles and felt like yours didn’t measure up, there’s a reason. It is probably because they use flavorings, and you don’t. The use of natural ...
Think Commercial Brewers and Vintners Don’t Use Flavorings? Think Again.(Post)If you believe professional brewers and winemakers rely only on raw ingredients and tradition, you have bought into a marketing story, not reality. The truth is far less romantic and far more interes ...
Sweetening the Deal: Mastering the Art of Sugar Measurement and Liquification for Home Winemaking(Post)In a perfect world, additional sugar is not necessary and, if you are working from high quality grapes, you won't need to add it. But if you are working with lower quality grapes or other fruits, upp ...
Welcome to the Label Peelers Blog!(Post)The Label Peelers Blog is here to help you learn more about the art of creating delicious concoctions from the comfort of your own home.Whether you are learning the fundamentals or you are an experie ...
The Weizenbier: A Taste of Nobility(Post)You, the home beer maker, are about to embark on a fascinating journey. A journey that will take you back to the origins of one of the world's most beloved beer styles - the Weizenbier. As you delve ...
Brewing with Flaked Maize: It's Not as Corny as You Think(Post)Let’s embark on a journey into the magical world of Flaked Maize. You might be wondering, "What the heck is Flaked Maize, and why should I care?" Well, strap in, because we're about to take a deep di ...
Why Do Wine Bottles Have Punts?(Post)Ever found yourself staring at the bottom of your wine bottle, intrigued by that peculiar dimple? Before your thoughts start swirling like a nice Chianti, we’ll uncork this mystery faster than you ca ...
12.5% vs 14% ABV: Why That Small Difference Changes Everything(Post)At a glance, the difference between a 12.5% wine and a 14% wine doesn’t look like much. Just 1.5%. Easy to assume they are more or less the same, with a slight difference in strength. Not so fa ...
A Little Headspace: Understanding Your Wine's Needs(Post)Today, we're going to delve into the somewhat misunderstood concept of headspace in the fermentation process. Just like we get into different moods and go through different phases of life, so does ou ...
Scorch the Sour: The Essential Guide to Burning Your Brewing Equipment(Post)Today, we're going to delve into a topic that's as vital as it is often neglected: burning your brewing equipment after crafting a sour beer. You might be wondering, "Why in the world would I need to ...
How You Should, and Should Not Clean Your Wine Press.(Post)Deep in the heart of every wine lover, there is a hidden desire to make your own vintage entirely from scratch. For many, making wine means more than just getting drunk. It’s a labor of love that req ...
How to Make Beer and Wine at Home: A Simple Guide for Newbies(Post)If you’ve found this article, you’re already ahead of many beginners. The world of home brewing and winemaking can be overwhelming, especially with the sheer volume of advice available on ...
Brew-tastic News: Join the LabelPeelers.com Beer Kit Revolution & Make $$$!(Post)Hey there, hoppy friend!Has the recent boom of microbreweries and DIY beer-making got you dreaming of crafting your own sudsy masterpiece? Well, hold on to your fermenters, because Labelpeelers.com i ...
Oxygenating Your Wort Before Fermentation: Techniques for a Healthy Start(Post)Alright, brewers—let's talk oxygenation. Sure, you know yeast needs oxygen to thrive, but here’s the thing: oxygenating your wort at the right time is key to setting your beer up for succ ...
Irish Moss: The Secret Ingredient for a Crystal-Clear Brew(Post)If you're a beer enthusiast, you've probably heard of Irish Moss. If not, don't worry, you're about to get schooled on this magical ingredient that can take your homebrew from cloudy to clear faster ...
Weizenbier: An Overview of the German Wheat Beer(Post)Weizenbier, or wheat beer, is the original, and traditional German beer brewed with a high proportion of wheat malt. Weizenbiers are characterized by their hazy appearance and unique flavor and aroma ...
Battling Haze in Your Beer? Kick Carrageenan Tablets Are Your Secret Ingredient(Post)You have a lot of passion and dedication in pursuit of brewing the perfect beer. You not only want your beer to taste great but also look the part. Since presentation matters as much as substance, me ...
What Else Can You Do with Citric Acid?(Post)The British Navy began using lemons on ships in the 1700s to prevent scurvy, a condition caused by a lack of vitamin C. At that time, it was believed that the acidic properties of lemons could preven ...
Fruit Flies and Wine: A Serendipitous Symbiosis(Post)The tantalizing aroma of your favorite wine may owe a debt of gratitude to an unexpected source: fruit flies. However, the role these tiny creatures play is more coincidental than direct. Research le ...
Ascorbic Acid: The Unsung Hero of Wine Preservation(Post)Are you ready to elevate your winemaking game? Let's talk about a little secret weapon that you’ve probably never investigated and can make a big difference in preserving your wine: ascorbic acid. Yo ...
Rapid Wort Cooling: Why Speed Matters in Homebrewing(Post)The time right after the boil is one of the most critical moments in brewing, and it's often either overlooked or undervalued. Cooling your wort quickly isn’t just about making things easier; i ...
Too Many Carboys Around? Invest in a Filtering System. (Post)As you make more wine and wait for gravity to clear it, carboys are probably encroaching on your living space. The faster you get your wine in the bottle, the sooner you can drink it. The Buon Vino ...
The Finer Wine Kits Novello Series: A New Era of Lower ABV Wine Kits(Post)Wine kits are evolving, and the Finer Wine Kits' Novello Series is a testament to this evolution. This unique wine kit is not just another low ABV wine kit; it's a revolution in the world of hom ...
The Super Transfer Pump: Transferring your Beer and Wine Was Never So Easy(Post)What if you no longer had to move full carboys, position them on tables for gravity siphoning or lift them off the floor when they are full? Better yet, what if you could do this without the need for ...
Learning All Grain Brewing Through Coffee Stout(Post)The Moonlit Java Stout all grain kit will raise your level as a brewer. Making this beer forces you to work through techniques and decisions that move beyond basic process and into real craft develop ...
Viognier Grapes and the Unique Wines They Create(Post)Viognier, pronounced Vee-oh-nyay, is a lesser-known white grape that deserves more of your attention. If you have never made it, you might want to do something about that. Viognier is a full-bodied w ...
IBU vs ABV: How Bitterness and Alcohol Are Engineered for Synergy(Post)When you look at a beer label, it is tempting to treat ABV and IBU as separate statistics. Alcohol by Volume tells you how strong the beer is. International Bitterness Units tell you how bitter it wi ...
Can Dirty Airlocks Spoil My Wine and Beer?(Post)Professor Dumbledore taught Harry Potter that dark magic leaves traces. Don't let your previous batch haunt your new one with a dirty airlock. You might take many steps to ensure good resul ...
Why Do Red and White Wines Have Different Bottles?(Post)You've probably pondered over the question: why are white wines stored in clear bottles and reds in tinted ones? Is it just a matter of aesthetics, or is there a functional reason behind it? Let's un ...
The Hydrometer: Your Wine and Beer’s Fragile Fortune Teller(Post)Greetings, you passionate purveyors of pints and pinots! Today, let’s take a dip into the realm of hydrometers, those delicate glass marvels that assist us in concocting our perfect brews and wines.
Rice Hulls: A Simple Defense Against the Dreaded Stuck Sparge(Post)Ever find yourself in the middle of a brew day, only to be thwarted by a stuck sparge? You know that moment when your mash decides to transform into a stubborn, gelatinous blob that refuses to let an ...
Two Malts, One Color, Completely Different Beer(Post)It is easy to assume that grains with similar Lovibond ratings will behave similarly in your beer. After all, the number is precise. It suggests control. If two malts sit in the same color range, the ...
Wort Aeration: A Crucial Step to Prevent Stuck Fermentation in Homebrewing(Post)In homebrewing, ensuring a healthy and active fermentation is paramount to producing high-quality beer. One often overlooked yet critical step in this process is wort aeration. Proper aeration provid ...
Protecting Wine During Extended Bulk Aging(Post)Advanced Airlock Management for Serious Home Winemakers Bulk Aging Demands a Stable Airlock When you decide to bulk age a wine for six, nine, or twelve months, you are choosing a chemical process tha ...
Why You Need a Healthy Relationship With Your Hoses(Post)The Need for Frequent Replacement Let’s talk about hoses. Flexible. Clear. Innocent looking. Always hanging there quietly, like they have never done anything wrong in their entire lives. They l ...
The Essential Guide to Using Dark Malts in Home Brewing(Post)You're here because you've got a burning desire to know more about the grains that make your favorite stout and porter beers.The grains you choose for your beer are like the foundation of a house. Fo ...
The Science and Art of Crafting Lower Alcohol Wines(Post)As a winemaker, you are the alchemist of the vineyard, transforming humble grapes into liquid gold. Your magic wand? The alcohol content. Your canvas? The intricate balance of flavors and aromas that ...
Does your Wine Need an Airlock During Primary Fermentation?(Post)If you’ve ever started a batch and found the airlock filled with wine the next day, you know how much of a mess it can cause. The use of airlocks during primary fermentation for wine is a ...
Winemaking Is Not Baking: Why Fruit Refuses to Behave Like an Ingredient(Post)One of the most persistent misunderstandings in home winemaking is the belief that it should behave like baking. Follow a recipe. Measure carefully. Repeat the steps. Expect the same result every tim ...
What Medium to Full Bodied Wine Kits With Skins Do Better(Post)At a certain point in your winemaking journey, the question stops being whether you can make good wine and starts being what kind of wine you want to make. Not better in a technical sense, but differ ...
Winds, Currents, and Climate: The Maritime Formula Behind Great Wine(Post)Nearly all of the world’s great wine regions seem to share a surprising geographical trait: they sit near west-facing coastlines. From California’s Napa Valley and Chile’s Casablanc ...
The Lees You Know: The Art and Science of Managing Sediment in Winemaking(Post)Today, we're diving deep into the bottom of your carboy where the lees lie. If you're scratching your head wondering, "What on earth are lees?" or if you're a seasoned winemaker looking to refine you ...
Beer Before Hops: An Ancient Roman Recipe!(Post)In an earlier post, you got a brief history of how hops came to be an essential component in beer making. But it is known that beer making goes much farther back than 8th century Germany, so what was ...
Hops: A Brief Overview and History(Post)Hops have been used in beer-making since the Middle Ages. The first evidence of hop cultivation dates back to the 8th century, when Charlemagne ordered that hops be planted in Bavaria. The first reco ...
Hops Spotlight: Zythos Hops, a Newcomer with a Big Entrance(Post)Zythos hops, a relatively fresh face in the world of brewing, first saw the light of day in the USA. This innovative hop variety didn't just sprout up from the ground; it was meticulously crafted and ...
Understanding Adjuncts(Post)Adjuncts are a type of cereal grains or other fermentable ingredients you can use in your beer. They are typically added to alter the flavor, aroma, and body that come from the base grains and m ...
The Unvarnished Truth About Pellicle Infections in Beer and Wine(Post)If you're a homebrewer or a winemaker, you've probably heard of the dreaded pellicle infection. It's the stuff of nightmares, right? Well, let's cut through the hype and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Balancing High Alcohol Levels in Winemaking(Post)You just bought your fresh Cabernet grapes home, took an OSG reading and your hydrometer is having palpitations. Your brix are 27! It’s going to be a “hot” red wine. That much alcohol will be unruly ...
Sweet Choices: Corn Sugar vs. Granulated Sugar in Fermentation(Post)Whether you’re brewing beer or making wine that require sugar additions, one of the first questions you’ll face is: What kind of sugar should I use? If you are a winemaker working from gr ...
5 Brewing Techniques Best Learned by Using Beer Kits(Post)If you have been brewing for a while, you already understand the basics. You know how to boil, ferment, and package a solid beer. But what separates a good brewer from a truly versatile one is not re ...
The Role of Grape Seeds in Red Wine Fermentation: Enhancing Flavor and Tannin Balance(Post)When it comes to crafting high-quality red wine, every detail matters – from selecting the right grape variety to the fermentation process. While many home winemakers use wine kits or fresh jui ...
How to Clean and Sanitize Home Brewing Equipment(Post)Clean, Sanitize then Sanitize: The Brewer's Mantra. Let’s talk about the uninvited guests at your brewing party. They are those microscopic party crashers that can turn your delightful br ...
What is Bentonite and How Is It Used in Winemaking?(Post)As a home winemaker, so many of the processes you use have ancient origins, but there is one that is a very recent innovation. Though it lacks the historicity of processes like using sulfites, which ...
The Genetic Link Between Hops and Cannabis and Their Use in Beer Making(Post)Hops (Humulus lupulus) and cannabis (Cannabis sativa) may seem like very different plants, but they share a surprising genetic connection. Both belong to the same botanical family, Cannabaceae, and t ...
The Glass Carboy: A Beer and Winemaker's Best Friend That Has Trust Issues(Post)If you've found your way here, you're probably looking for some inside scoop on the enigmatic glass carboy, that bulbous, necked vessel that's as integral to the home beer and winemaking process as f ...
To Barrel or Not to Barrel? Alternatives for Oaking Your Wine(Post)Oak has been an important part of winemaking for centuries, and its influence can be felt in many of the world's most beloved wines. Oak aging, or barrel aging, gives wines complex flavors and aromas ...
Yeast Spotlight: Red Star Premier Classique Wine Yeast(Post)The Red Star Premier Classique Wine Yeast, formerly known as Montrachet, is a proud creation of the esteemed Lesaffre Yeast Corporation. This yeast strain traces its roots back to the heart of France ...
Stuck Fermentation or Infected Wine? Fortification Turns a Setback Into Art(Post)You open your fermenter and something feels wrong. The airlock has gone quiet too soon. Your gravity has stalled at 1.028 and refuses to move. Or worse, a thin pellicle has formed across the surface.
The Magic of Brown Sugar and How You Can Make It(Post)Today, we're diving into the sweet, sticky world of brown sugar and how it can transform your homemade beer and wine into something truly special. If you’ve ever wondered why your brew doesn’t have t ...
Wonderful Wine Geekery: Using Math to Fortify your Wine(Post)Ever wanted to fortify your wine but got intimidated by how to do it? If so, today is your lucky day. We are going to geek out with some math! Sounds thrilling right? Well, not to be sarcastic but, i ...
Hops Spotlight: Cascade Hops, an American Classic(Post)Prepare to embark on an exciting journey into the dynamic universe of Cascade hops. Born from the innovative minds at the USDA in the golden era of the 1950s, Cascade hops are as authentically Americ ...
What is Dry Hopping and Can You Use Hop Pellets?(Post)If you are a beer maker, you most likely have heard of dry hopping. If you've never tried it because you use hop pellets, you don't have to let that stop you. The simple truth is that dry hoppin ...
Should Sugar Levels Determine My Winemaking Process?(Post)Every harvest is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get. Even grapes from the same vineyard can surprise you year after year. Weather cycles, temperatures, and a myriad of othe ...
The Realities of Aging Wine: Is Older Always Better?(Post)Comparisons to fine wine abound when it comes to aging gracefully, but is the analogy justified? Do all wines age well? Does aging potential come from the wine, the storage or both? In this article, ...