Authors Note: This blog post and vlog were created prior to the U.S. outbreak of COVID-19. The material covered here is based on observations, projects, and interactions with wineries prior to the various state orders to address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. For more information pertaining strictly to COVID-19, please see past blog posts. Hello! Welcome […]
Wine Flaws
Acetic Acid Bacteria Growth in New Vintage Red Wine
A Case Study The Problem A freshly fermented batch of red wine, wine pH above 3.65, was put into a variable capacity tank (VCT). Following the completion of malolactic fermentation, approximately 50 ppm sulfur dioxide was added to the wine. The lid to the tank was floated on the surface of the wine and sealed. […]
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 […]
Jan. 14 – 18, 2019 “Oh, No! Wine Flaws” Online Course
Do you wish you were better at identifying when a flaw occurs during the winemaking process? Then don’t forget the “Oh, no! Wine Flaws” online course starts on January 14, 2019. It’s a short 5-day online course that will teach you how to make your own wine flaw sensory standards and review several technical wine […]
