(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 […]
Darn Good Winemakers
Don’t Forget! “pH Explained” Webinar on April 23rd
While we talk about pH all of the time, many winemakers rarely feel comfortable discussing its influence on their wines and measuring it. Wine pH influences various chemical and microbial stabilities, and is a fluid value that requires monitoring by the winemaker. For this reason, on April 23rd, the Darn Good Winemakers session will focus […]
pH Explained
A Winemaker’s Journey to Understanding Acid Chemistry One of the most common mistakes I hear winemakers make is when they reference a wine’s pH in response to someone else’s comment on how sour the wine tastes. We’ve all heard it. Someone: “The wine is a bit tart.” Winemaker: “Well, the pH is 3.24.” This simple […]
Don’t Forget! “Creatively Perfecting Wines in Challenging Vintage Years” Webinar on March 26th
Early in March, I presented options for how to use wines produced from disease-heavy fruit at the annual Grape Expectations conference in New Jersey. However, given many winemakers could not attend this conference, I’m going to review some of these core concepts in the March Darn Good Winemakers session. If you need help getting something […]
Enhancing Quality of Subpar Wines
Did the 2018 vintage leave you with wines that are less than desirable? If so, you’re not alone. Winemakers in hot, consistently dry climates get adjusted to the routine of making wine. But if you’re a winemaker in a region that experiences vintage variation, routine winemaking practices can be your worst enemy. In years that […]
“Stop the Pop!” A Webinar on Avoiding Fermentations Post-Bottling
Fermentations in bottled wines is one of the most common complaints I receive from wineries. “I can’t believe that bottle popped. Who knows how it’s being stored.” “I opened a case of wine last week, and I saw all 12 corks were being pushed.” “Is there a more efficient way of re-bottling wines that have […]
