The rewards and frustrations of home winemaking

Monthly archive: 06 2011

Oak Trials Experiment

I was inspired by Tim Vandergrift’s Hands-On oak trials at the Winemaker Magazine Conference in Santa Barbara to set up my own set of oak trials.ย  I decided to just get a basic chardonnay kit, the Winexpert Vintners’ Reserve Chardonnay.ย  This kit does come with a small pack of oak, but I pulled it out.ย  […]

Dumping Yucky Cabernet

I don’t like to give up easily on a wine, but the nasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Paul was beyond any help. When I first tried it, I thought maybe some racking and Kmeta would help it. Today I went to splash rack it, and it was just gross. There is no help for this wine. […]

2011 San Diego County Fair Homemade Wine Competition Awards

The awards ceremony for the San Diego County Fair Homemade Wine Competition was yesterday.ย  I couldn’t make it because I had to run the shop, but my hubby went to enjoy the fun and bring home my awards. I submitted 3 wines, and they all won medals: the 2010 Winexpert limited edition Pacifica White won […]

“Hotel Del Coronado” Winexpert 2008 Limited Edition Brunello Tasting Note

My “Hotel Del Coronado” Winexpert 2008 limited release Brunello is coming up on 3 years post bottling now. My first reaction to drinking this wine was, WOW! It is definitely at its peak, and is exceptional. Big, bold aromas of blackberry, sage, and light spice. Perfectly integrated flavors of currant, blackberry, and raisins with cedar […]

“Bahia Belle Blend” Tasting note

I’ve been somewhat unhappy with my 2008 Lambert Bridge Merlot lately, but the blend of merlot with cabernet sauvignon is officially ready to drink! It is finally perfectly balanced and integrated, with big, bold, brambly aromas of ripe blackberries and spice, and mouthwatering flavors of ripe red fruits with a hint of leather and eucalyptus. […]

Cellar Craft Rhone White and Winexpert Spanish Rose Bottling

I bottled both the Cellar Craft 2010 limited edition Marsanne-Viognier-Roussanne and the Winexpert Spanish Rose today, getting ready for summer sipping.ย  The MVR wasn’t quite clear, which I think might be due to my use of marbles for topping up my wines.ย  When wines with marbles are moved at all from their place of rest […]