How to Make the Best Red Wine

When making red wine, the winemaker has at his disposal a far greater range of techniques, and must make more decisions than when making white wine. The process is essentially the same, gathering the grapes, fermentation, maturation and bottling. But there is one main difference – extracting the colour from the skins. At various stages the winemaker can intervene to change the style of the wine he is making.

Just follow some straight forward rules, and you are on your way to making a good red wine.

The processes are as follows:

1. Picking Grapes

To make the best red wine we need good quality, fully ripened red wine grapes, which are clean and free from disease. Continue reading “How to Make the Best Red Wine”

How To Make Rice Wine Without Yeast

Ingredients you will need:

The minimal amount of ingredients you will be needing are simple and readily available

1. Sticky or muggy rice (2 cups)

2. One wine ball (mold)

Directions for the process:

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is to wash and clean the rice. For this purpose, fill the computing cup with cups of water and wash them thoroughly under the tap water in a sink basin. Wash them until the water runs clear. Prefer to use the muggy water as it generates delicious taste as compared to the plain rice. Continue reading “How To Make Rice Wine Without Yeast”

Red Wine Is Like Milk – A Quick Guide to Remembering Popular Grapes

I recall an article I read when I really began to get into red wine back in the 90’s comparing red wine to milk with different fat contents. After reading the article, I had just enough knowledge to sound like I knew my grapes and what I was talking about. And this came at a time when I only drank Chardonnay because it was the only one I knew how to ask for. At the time, that article really helped me sound like I knew more about red wine than I actually did.

So I’m here to share with you, whether you’re a newbie who can only muster a name drop of the famed Oasis Winery and thinks tannins are brand of sunblock, or if you’re a seasoned wine

connoisseur who can pinpoint blackberries in a peppery zin. This article is sure to educate and entertain at the same time.

Pinot Noir & Beaujolais Nouveau Continue reading “Red Wine Is Like Milk – A Quick Guide to Remembering Popular Grapes”

The Dimensions of a Wine Bottle

If you are considering transforming your basement into a home wine cellar, you are not alone. The installation of home wine cellars is a booming business, especially in the luxury home market. When mapping out your wine cellar, you might want to know the size of a standard wine bottle. Ninety percent of your home wine collection will probably consist of standard-sized bottles.

The first dimension to consider is the height of a standard wine bottle. Some racking companies make their racks only ten inches deep, which does not protect the full 11½-inch height of a standard bottle. Be sure to accommodate the full height of a standard wine bottle, because you don’t want your precious wine bottles sticking their necks out.

The Other Dimensions of a Wine Bottle Continue reading “The Dimensions of a Wine Bottle”

Low Alcohol Wine – A Trendy Alternative?

Low alcohol wines used to be frowned at by most wine drinkers, especially wine snobs, but now, is a low alcohol wine a trendy alternative? The answer has to be yes, for several reasons. The sudden increase in interest in wines with a lower alcohol by volume (abv.) has perhaps been brought on by global warming as well as a few other factors.

I hear you say, how come? Well in the last 15 years some wines have increased by between 2% to 3% abv. which means that a red wine that may have been 13% abv. is now coming out at around 15% abv. This is a massive increase due to warmer weather enabling higher natural sugar levels. If these sugars are totally converted into alcohol to produce a bone dry wine then a blockbuster awaits – one or two glasses and you’re on the floor!

To counteract very high sugar production, vineyards are producing grapes in high altitude, cool climate vinegrowing areas such as New Zealand, Chile and Argentina. Producers in Germany are also providing popular low alcohol versions of Rieslings to enable light summer white wine drinking styles to be made. Continue reading “Low Alcohol Wine – A Trendy Alternative?”

Toasting Is Not Just For Wine and Champagne-Craft Beer Is In Style For Toasting!

“Let no man thirst for lack of Real Ale.” – Toast on a matchbook from Commonwealth Brewing, Massachusetts 1986.

Even familiar gatherings with familiar people, friends and family, a few words can be profound when offered to commemorate a person or event or a simple gathering of at least 2 people.

Having been through the Pandemic for over a year now, and the loss of contact between friends, acquaintances, family and ceremonial events, Craft Beer can heal a lot of past misery. I say let’s bring back the art of “Toasting” with a pint of craft beer and “toasting” has a long tradition that can help in the recovery. Let’s follow the tradition of Benjamin Franklin known as the best person ever to offer “commemorative” words to honor and respect” worthy to remember and honor.

Having spent time in the U.S. Navy I have attended many retirement ceremonies and gatherings where toasts were mandatory. Frankly, an appropriate toast is expected at occasions that are celebratory and of a convivial nature, and not all were serious toasts. Wine/sparkling wine are generally recognized as the beverage used for toasting (water is acceptable also). But the grandest toast beverage is the craft beer. Toasting builds honest friendships, respect, inspires and cements appreciation. Continue reading “Toasting Is Not Just For Wine and Champagne-Craft Beer Is In Style For Toasting!”

Howard Stern’s Wine

As you may or may not know, I used to work for Howard Stern. It was over ten years ago, but I’m still in contact with him once in a great while. I listen to the show every day, and I think it’s better than it’s ever been. I’m bringing this up because Howard and Robin had a conversation about wine that serves as a great marketing lesson for magicians. This story is a bit long, but bear with me, it’s worth your time.

Here’s what happened: Howard, Robin, and some other people from the show went out to dinner. Robin is learning about wine and Howard let her do the ordering. When Howard got the bill, he was shocked to see the price of the wine. How much was it? $800.00…a bottle…Robin ordered three bottles.

Of course, the next several minutes of the show were devoted to Robin’s rudeness and goofing on her pricey ordering. Howard went on to tell the story of two wine experts that purchased a $3,000.00 bottle of wine. They didn’t want to spend so much, but it was their job as big shot wine experts to report back, so they bought it. They saved this very expensive wine for a year before opening it and writing their reviews. Continue reading “Howard Stern’s Wine”

Calories in Wine – White Vs Red

When it comes to losing weight, or attempting to just keep yourself at the weight you are currently at, you will invariably receive a wide range of advice on how to do this. Keep away from sweets; don’t eat any carbs; make sure you exercise at least four times a week. The more research you do, the more you will see conflicting reports upon what you need to do.

Invariably, you will see an assortment of articles which will tell you that you should avoid wine if you are attempting to lose weight. These reports will point to the high amount of calories in wine, especially calories which these reports will say come from sugar. So the question is just how many calories in a glass of wine are there, and are these calories derived from sugar?

On average, whether you have a standard red or white glass of wine, there are 25 calories per one ounce of wine. When you think about an average glass of wine containing five ounces, this means you will consume 125 calories within any glass. Although this is not a nominal amount, it is not an exorbitant amount of calories either. Continue reading “Calories in Wine – White Vs Red”

How the Romans Made Wine

The Romans understood terroir and were very careful about where they planted vines. Before the Romans, the Etruscans lived in what is now called Italy and they made wine from wild grapes. It seems that there was an abundance of them in the Mediterranean area.

Roman wine production was heavily influenced by both the Etruscans and the ancient Greeks.

After harvesting the grapes, people would trample on them This might not have been hygienic, but it was the best way the Romans knew to press wine. After the trampling, the wine was transported to be pressed in a torculum or wine press. The grape juice was strained to get rid of the grape skins and seeds.

The next stage in the production process was to transfer the liquid to the huge jars or amphorae where it could ferment. Sometimes these vessels were buried in sand, soil, or water. Sometimes these juices were boiled prior to storing them in these vessels.

If the end result was to produce a high quality vintage wine, the wine would remain in the vessels for between 10 and 25 years. Continue reading “How the Romans Made Wine”

Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade Wine

Home Winemaking requires a significant input of effort, resources, and patience. So when the time comes for you enjoy your precious vintage you want to be sure that your investment pays off. You will have a much greater chance of success as a home vintner if you learn the mistakes to avoid when making homemade wine.

First Mistake

Often occurs right at the start by new winemakers failing to select and follow a reliable recipe. If you want the best possible results then you should follow the instructions of the experts. This is not the time for improvisation.

Second Mistake

Inadequate or wrong equipment is often the cause of problem homemade wine. If you are new to making homemade wine it is essential that you invest in the proper equipment. Avoid using household items and doubly avoid household items that have been used to prepare or store other foods. It is best for anyone who is serious about homemade wine to purchase specialist equipment from winemaking retailers. Continue reading “Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade Wine”