Categories
-
Are Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio Actually the Same Grape?(Post)
If you’ve ever pondered a possible kinship between the luscious Pinot Noir and the crisp Pinot Grigio, your curiosity was justified. Their story is a vinicultural voyage into the realm of somatic mut ...
Love Pinot Noir But Struggle Making It?(Post)There's a reason Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape. This finicky grape is notoriously difficult to grow and even more difficult to produce into a high-quality wine. But when done right, Pin ...
What Makes Italian Pinot Grigio Unique?(Post)Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, is a white wine grape variety that is widely grown in various regions of the world. It is a member of the Pinot family, which includes Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Making Dry Reds? You Want RC-212 Lalvin Wine Yeast on your Team(Post)The secret to crafting a truly unique and enjoyable wine often lies in the heart of the fermentation process - the yeast. Today, let's take a closer look at RC-212 Lalvin Wine Yeast, a reliable and v ...
The Trick to Making Good Sangiovese(Post)Sangiovese is named for the top god in Roman mythology. It means blood of Jupiter. If you’ve made Sangiovese and not been happy with the outcome, you may be wondering why? You’ve successfully made ot ...
Which Oak Works Best for Your Wine? Everything You Need to Know(Post)The art of winemaking is a delicate dance between science and creativity, and the use of oak is no exception. As a home winemaker, you have the power to shape your wine's character, and understa ...
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 ...
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 ...
How to Make Mulled Wine(Post)As the chill of winter sets in and the festive lights begin to twinkle, it's time to revisit a beloved holiday tradition: mulled wine. This warm, spiced beverage has been a staple of winter celebrati ...
The Great Wine Masquerade: Can You Unmask the Reds and Whites?(Post)Have you ever wondered if you could tell the difference between a red and a white wine if they were served at the same temperature, and you were blindfolded? It's a question that has sparked many deb ...
Wine and Beer Bottles: Why So Many Different Styles?(Post)Home beer and winemakers typically reuse bottles. It is economical but, if you have the means, you might want to consider upping your variety. Bottle shapes, colors, and sizes are more than just aest ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Unraveling the Tannin Tapestry: A Colorful Guide to Grape Seeds, Stems, and Skins for Home Winemaking(Post)Tannins can be scary. When overpowering, they can leave you feeling like Wiley Coyote after a dose of Acme alum. But when they are right, tannins can be intrinsic to red wine. They add a lot of flavo ...
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 ...
Petite Sirah: The Quiet Man with Quite the Punch(Post)Every family has the politician and the stoic. Wine is no different. More well-known varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir tend to hog the conversation. But like the old saying goes, some ...
The Magic of the Oak Barrel: a Genie in a Bottle or a Witches Cauldron?(Post)If you are haunted by the seductive siren of barrel aging, you are not alone. They are sexy and romantic so what’s not to like? Well, if you do not want to be under their spell like the great Ulysses ...