Is Award-winning Wine Worth It?
Medals are a good thing, right? Whether it’s in the Olympics or in the wine cellar, you always go for gold. While we’ll hear more about figure skating in February,…
Chardonnay Isn’t Going Anywhere: The 2016 California Grape Crush
The California Grape Crush, an annual report on the region’s wine production, pricing and more, has just published their 2016 findings and America’s favorite wines are alive and well. Chardonnay…
The Chardonnay Renaissance
If you consider yourself a wine-lover or if you’ve ever muttered the words “I prefer red wines,” chances are you have rolled your eyes at a Chardonnay before. At the…
When Winemaking ‘Alternatives’ Become a Staple
The wine business is constantly evolving and, for the most part, winemakers are very open to innovation and new products - especially if they make their jobs easier and more…
Wine Minerality and Stainless Steel
Leading oenologist for the Consorzio di Tutela del Soave, Giovanni Ponchia, ruffled a few feathers at the International Volcanic Wines Forum in Veneto when he chastised the industries over-use of…
When is it Most Cost-Effective for Winemakers to use an Oak Barrel Alternative?
With a number of winemakers using oak barrel alternatives such as stainless steel wine barrels, concrete tanks and plastic alternatives consistently on the rise, it is safe to say that…
Stainless Steel: Does it Age Like Oak?
Oak barrels were not the winemaking standard for centuries just because they look pretty. Early winemakers found that oak barrels were particularly well suited for flavoring and rounding/concentrating. As modern…
BYOB: A History of Wine Transportation P4
Wine is precious. This statement has rung true for humanity since the beverages discovery. Wine played an integral role in ancient religions, rituals, trade and entertainment. For over 8,000 years,…
California Love: A Brief Look at Wine and Stainless Steel at California Universities
Stainless steel was among the most major innovations in 20th century winemaking. Here in the states, particularly in California, winemakers were quick to adopt the easy-to-clean, consistently sterile material for…
The Wine Industry of Tomorrow
In January, winemakers, growers and experts from around the world met in Sacramento at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. One of the panels focused on the “industry of tomorrow”…