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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, ...
You Should Always Use Distilled Water with Wine Kits(Post)Though you pay attention to even the smallest details, like carefully sanitizing your equipment and taking diligent OSG measurements, have you also considered the water? Let’s explore why distilled w ...
The Benefits of Natural Flavoring Extracts in Beer and Winemaking(Post)Have you ever considered the transformative power of all-natural flavoring extracts? Let's take a leaf from the book of commercial breweries and wineries. They've been using a secret ingredient to cr ...
No One Can Taste It for You(Post)I usually try to keep myself out of these articles. Not because I do not have opinions, but because your beer and winemaking aspirations should be the center of the conversation, not me. But every so ...
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 ...
Tired of Scrubbing Tough Bottle Stains? (Post)Preparing your bottles is not on the list of fun tasks for the wine and beer maker. You do it because you must, but it’s not exactly as gratifying as punching down your must cap or watching your wort ...
Like Citrusy Beers?(Post)When it comes to beer, there are a variety of different ways you can give your brews citrus flavors. Some of the most common methods include using citrus fruits or citrus zest in the brewing process, ...
TA and pH: Taste and Environment — The Two Pillars of Balance in Wine and Beer(Post)Introduction: Why Every Maker Should Care About Acidity If you’ve ever crafted a batch of wine or beer that tasted wonderful at bottling but somehow lost its spark a few months later—turn ...
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 ...
Can the Wrong ABV Ruin Homemade Beer and Wine?(Post)Imagine yourself as a tightrope walker, teetering high above the ground, balancing the fine line between alcohol levels and the other characteristics in your homemade beer or wine. It's important to ...
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 ...
Cinco de Mayo: From Historical Victory to Commercialized Celebration(Post)Cinco de Mayo always evokes the idea of a party. Though many celebrate by whipping up some Mexican food and sipping Sangria, The history of Cinco de Mayo is often far removed from its modern associat ...
Will Malolactic Fermentation Improve my Wine?(Post)Today, we're delving into the intriguing process of malolactic fermentation (MLF.) It can be a key player in the winemaking process, but there are instances where it should be avoided. Since it is ha ...
Star San: An Effective and Safe Sanitizing Solution for Beer and Wine Makers (Post)As a beer or winemaker, you are always fretting about the importance of sanitation, quality and safety. Star San is an ideal sanitizing solution for your beer and wine because it is com ...
Unmasking the "Free Shipping" Illusion: Why Real Shipping Costs are Your Wallet and Planet's BFF(Post)Welcome to the twilight zone of "free shipping," where nothing is truly free and you're left wondering if you've been bamboozled. Fear not, Label Peelers has your back with our guaranteed lowest pric ...
Transform Your Liquor Cabinet!(Post)If you're looking to add a touch of luxury to your home-made liquor without spending a fortune, then liquor essences are the way to go. By simply adding these essences to your liquor, you can instant ...
Crystal Malt: Adding a Splash of Color and a Dash of Sweetness(Post)If you're looking to add a little pizzazz to your pint, let's talk about the magic of crystal malt. It's like the fairy dust of the beer world, adding color, flavor, and a certain je ne sais quoi to ...
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 ...
Can You Fix a Wine That Fermented Too Hot?(Post)Every winemaker eventually has a fermentation that gets away from them. Maybe the room warmed up during the day. Maybe the yeast took off faster than expected. Maybe the fermenter was larger than usu ...
Vegetable Glycerine: The Wine and Beer Babysitter You Never Knew You Needed(Post)You're trying to make a decent bottle of wine or beer, but it's like having a newborn baby. It's all "feed me, burp me, change me." It's enough to drive a person to drink... which, I suppose, is the ...
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 ...
Introducing Volume Savings: Build Smarter Orders and Make Your Shipping Go Further(Post)At Label Peelers, value has always been about more than one product price. It is about your total order, your shipping cost, and how much you get out of every shipment. That is why we created Volume ...
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 ...
How to Rescue a Wine That Tastes Flat(Post)Every winemaker eventually faces this moment. You take a sample from the carboy, raise the glass, take a careful sip, and something is missing. The wine is not spoiled. It is not obviously flawed. It ...
Your Fermenter Is Not a Countertop(Post)Most wine and beer makers understand the importance of sanitizing. They know that wild yeast, bacteria, mold, and other contaminants can ruin a batch. Because of that, sanitation gets talked about co ...
Is Australian Shiraz just Syrah? No and Yes.(Post)It is a common notion that Shiraz and Syrah are just different names for the same grape, but it might not be that simple. There is debate about whether the distinction is warranted, and there are nay ...
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 ...
Brewing Beer with Wheat: Wheat Beers Decoded(Post)You've mastered the art of barley, but have you ever taken a walk on the wheat side? If not, let's delve into the fascinating world of wheat beers and uncover what makes them so refreshingly unique.W ...
Proper Cork Preparation(Post)To Soak or Not to Soak: That Is the Question?Should you soak your corks before bottling? Cork prep is one of those topics where you can ask ten different winemakers and get ten different answers. Let ...
What Makes Good Beer and Winemakers?(Post)The journey from raw ingredients to the final product is a complex ballet of molecular transformation. It involves trillions of cells, invisible to the naked eye, yet their collective work is what gi ...
Merlot: A Misunderstood Marvel, Unfairly Maligned by Sideways(Post)You remember that flick, Sideways, don't you? The one where our protagonist, Miles, has a bit of a meltdown over Merlot? "If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any (insert expletive ...
How Are Hop Pellets Made?(Post)From Field to Froth: Unraveling the Journey of Hops to Hop PelletsLet’s talk about hop pellets, those little nuggets that give your beer its signature bitterness and aroma and start with a histo ...
How Much Do Wine Fermentation Temperatures Matter? A Lot! (Post)Hold onto your corkscrews, folks! The secret to a stellar vino might just be hiding in your thermostat. That's right, the temperature you choose to ferment your wine at can be a game-changer. So, let ...
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 ...
How Do You Know When Your Wine Has the Right Amount of Oak?(Post)As a home winemaker, you're always striving for the perfect balance of flavors. One of the most crucial elements in this quest is the oak flavor. But how do you know when your wine has absorbed just ...
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 ...
Bold Beers Teach You. Simple Beers Test You.(Post)When selecting a beer kit, new brewers often see long lists of ingredients, specialty grains, hops, yeast, flavor additions, and detailed steps and immediately think, “That one is too advanced ...
Do Wax Seals Help Preserve Wine in the Bottle?(Post)You've been nurturing your wine like a newborn baby, checking in on it, turning it, talking to it, maybe even singing it a lullaby or two. You've been patient, you've been diligent, and finally, your ...
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.
The Hidden Dangers of Recipes in Winemaking: A Comprehensive Guide(Post)So, you've got your fruit, your yeast, your carboy, and a recipe you found online that promises to deliver the perfect bottle of homemade vino. But before you start crushing those grapes (or apples, ...
The Value of Individual Powdered Acids to Adjust Wine Acidity(Post)Let's dive into the fascinating role individual powdered acids can play in your winemaking process. Acidity is the structural foundation in your favorite bottle of wine, providing balance, enhancing ...
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 ...
How to Select Your Wine Kit(Post)When you are choosing a wine kit, it is easy to focus on what appears to signal quality. Higher ABV, fuller body, more structure. These details seem important, but they are often misunderstood. The m ...
Wine Aging Explained: Time Is the Project Manager, You're the Boss(Post)Young wine is a crowded employee meeting where everyone talks at once. Alcohol keeps interrupting. Tannin is being rude. Oak has prepared a very long presentation about oak. Acid is asking pointed qu ...
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 ...
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 ...
Does ABV Vary for Different Grapes?(Post)The Pugilistic Dance of Alcohol Levels in Wine:A Tannic Tango with Nature, the Vintner, and the Winemaker. Ever wondered why some types of wine go right to your head while others barely tickle y ...
Editorial: Why Science, Additives and Equipment Matter(Post)I've always been hesitant to write from a personal perspective, preferring to remain objective and unbiased in my blog posts. However, today is an exception. I feel compelled to address a s ...
Does Ambient Temperature Change How Wine Ages? (Post)You've just bottled your wine. You're excited about the prospect of savoring it in the future, but you're also aware that how you store it will significantly impact its taste. The key player in this ...
Lactic Acid In Your Beer: Sometimes You Need a Little Sour to Appreciate the Sweetness(Post)As a homebrew enthusiast, you're always looking for ways to enhance the complexity of your beers. Variety is the spice of life and one ingredient that can significantly impact your beer's taste is la ...
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 ...
Cabernet Sauvignon: The King of Reds Is a Half Breed?(Post)Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular wine grapes in the world. Its flavor and complexity have made it a favorite among winemakers and consumers alike. The origins of Cabernet Sauvignon are n ...
Making a White or Fruit Wine? Your Fermentation Options Matter More Than You Think(Post)When you make a white wine, fruit wine, blush, or rosé, you are usually chasing something delicate. You want the wine to smell fresh before the first sip. You want the fruit to come through cl ...
Do You Really Understand ABV?(Post)This article aims to help you better comprehend the implications of ABV and understand not only how it might be misleading, but how miscalculation can also make or break your beer or wine. It is easy ...
Can I Mix Grains When I Make Beer?(Post)You're reading this because you're not just a beer drinker but a beer making thinker. You're curious about how you can mix the various grains that turn that humble glass of brew from an ordinary beer ...
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 ...
Like Drier and Crisper Beers? Glucoamylase Enzyme Might Be your New BFF(Post)Have you ever wondered how to unlock the fullest potential of the sugars in your malted barley? Glucoamylase enzyme may be the secret ingredient your home brewing process has been missing if you like ...
The Cold Break Explained: Clearer Beer Starts Before Fermentation(Post)Beer makers should take wort chilling seriously. It is easy to think of chilling as a practical step that simply gets the wort cool enough for yeast, but that misses what is really happening. Chillin ...
Mastering Must Preparation for Apples, Stone Fruits, and Berries(Post)A Practical Guide for Late Summer and Early Fall Harvests As the late-summer harvest arrives, many home winemakers look beyond grapes to apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and berries. While th ...
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.
The Art of Blackberry Wine: A Symphony of Science and Senses(Post)Hello, you budding Bacchus! Let's talk about crafting the perfect blackberry wine. It's a bit like conducting a symphony, where every note (or in this case, every berry) matters.Before we get into th ...
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 ...
How to Brew Better Summer Beer with Adjuncts(Post)Summer beer should be refreshing, flavorful, and easy to enjoy when the weather is warm. That does not always mean your beer has to be light in flavor. It means you want your beer to feel right for t ...