The standard of identity (SOI) for sparkling wine styles are defined through 27 CFR 4, stating that sparkling wine is “grape wine made effervescent with carbon dioxide resulting solely from fermentation of the wine within a closed container, tank or bottle.” This definition clearly outlines the parameters for using the term “sparkling” on a wine […]
Wine Style
Darn Good Winemakers Tackle Sparkling Wine Production Details in May
While sparkling wine production can be fun, it can also be a very challenging experience during its first production. While there is no one way to manufacture a sparkling wine, there are certain production elements associated with the wine that winemakers should look for to ensure flavor, foaming, and sustainability in the bottle. For the […]
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 […]
Nebraska’s Wine Industry: Creativity, Back to Basics, and Hospitality
Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting with members of the Nebraska wine industry. Their 2018 Vindemia Nebraska conference met at the beautiful Lied Lodge on the historical Arbor Day Farm property in Nebraska City. While our surroundings were supplemented with lovely fall foliage, history, and a warming, monumental fire place, the focus of […]
Wine Consumers Tasting Cabernets
I was recently at a wedding in which one of the guests brought her glass of wine to me and said, “Taste this. This doesn’t taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon.” I tasted the wine, and actually, I thought it did taste like a version of Cabernet Sauvignon. The guest’s primary complaint about the wine was […]
