The rewards and frustrations of home winemaking

Monthly archive: 10 2011

Syrah MLF (mostly) Done

  It’s almost 6 weeks after initiating malolactic fermentation on our 2011 Fallbrook Syrah. I tested malic acid levels today with the Accuvin quick tests. Batch #1 (fermented with ICV-D80) is the one batch that didn’t seem to be progressing at all, but today it seems to be below the max value on the scale. […]

Syrah Day

Today I’m finally getting around to taking care of the 2010 Syrah we just brought down, plus I need to stir and check the progression of the MLF on the 2011 Syrah.ย  My Hands-on Winemaking class did the initial test for lactic acid in all four batches of the 2011 Syrah last Sunday, and all […]

Oak Trials: Tasting Notes

The oak trials were bottled about 2 months ago now, and I’m ready to do a tasting of the panel.ย  My husband has agreed to help me out, since there are 7 different wines to taste.ย  First is the unoaked Winexpert Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay:ย  dry, but not crisp, with subtle hints of apple and pear.ย  […]

Syrah Goes for a Ride

Paul and I are not happy with the way the 2010 Syrah is tasting.ย  It has been hanging out in the Flextank for about a year now, with oak cubes, but it just tastes kind of closed up.ย  Supposedly the Flextank “breathes” like a barrel, but right now I’m not buying that.ย  We both agreed […]