If you’re producing wine outside of the three big western states (California, Oregon, and Washington), then it’s likely you’re making some wines based on hybrid wine grape varieties. Hybrid-based wines are quite unique compared to Vitis vinifera-based wines. They offer a varied aroma and taste profile, different wine chemistry, and some varieties may be less […]
Wine Education
A Winemaker’s Take on Cluster Zone Leaf Removal, Part 3: Viticulture Experts Address Cluster Zone Leaf Removal
Over the last two weeks, I introduced a question that was posed to me during a previous Darn Good Winemakers session and dived into some background about science. While I try to integrate the use of science with all of my clients, I think it’s important to have a reference of limitations and expectations that […]
A Winemaker’s Take on Cluster Zone Leaf Removal, Part 2: Research Science versus Commercial Application – What You Should Know
Last week, I introduced a question that was posed to me during a previous Darn Good Winemakers session. I thought the question was so thought provoking that it required pause and attention as a blog post. Thus, today, we’re diving into part 2 of our 3 part blog series surrounding the question on cluster zone […]
A Winemaker’s Take on Viticulture Questions, Part 1: Why I Don’t Make Viticulture Recommendations
A viticulture-related question was recently posed to me during a Darn Good Winemakers session, and I thought the question was so thought provoking that it required pause and attention as a blog post. It gave me a good opportunity to think about science, how commercial operations use scientific findings, and how easily viticulture and enology […]
Intro to Winery Lab Essentials
(Just in time for harvest!) In working with a number of wineries throughout the country that range in the 2,000 case to 15,000 case annual production size, I have found that many struggle to get a firm grip on wine analytical testing. Of course, this also includes testing incoming fruit, juice, or must, as well […]
Sparkling Wine: It’s All About That Base
The standard of identity (SOI) for sparkling wine styles are defined through 27 CFR 4, stating that sparkling wine is “grape wine made effervescent with carbon dioxide resulting solely from fermentation of the wine within a closed container, tank or bottle.” This definition clearly outlines the parameters for using the term “sparkling” on a wine […]
