Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Somethings you cannot escape. Whether it’s a matter of inherent tendencies and proclivities, or “catching the bug”, very seldom is one able to completely and permanently forswear a passion. So is the case with me and wine and wine making. … Continue reading →

My kids, when they want something, are very clever in presenting selling points that are likely to appeal to me: “A new computer will help me do better in school.” Or: “Playing football will help me lose weight“. It’s important … Continue reading →

I’ve made some recommendations in the past about making the most out of a tight space when one wants to put in a home vineyard. But, if the reader is lucky enough to own some land and has a hankering … Continue reading →

Found this on winebusiness.com today: Winemaking Calculators (from vinoenology.com): Fermentation – Specific Gravity & Brix conversions, Yeast & Nutrients addition, Unit Conversion table Chaptalization & Water dilution – Sugar content adjustment & Water addition SO2 addition – Liquid SO2 solution & Potassium metabisulfite addition, Molecular SO2 table, … Continue reading →

UC Davis scientists have found phylloxera infestation of rootstocks bred to be resistant to the louse. The 101-14 rootstock is a riparia-rupestris cross intended for heavy clay soils (see Herrick Guide, here). Ironically, while 101-14 was found to be best … Continue reading →

I don’t own very many wine books. I don’t make that pronouncement with some sort of anti-intellectualist smugness. I just have little free time and see no value in obtaining books which do not provide what I need or want … Continue reading →

I’ve been a bit swamped and am still working on a long post. In the meantime, for your enjoyment and edification: “Bentonite is kitty litterrrrrr!!!……….” Yup. That stuff for precipitating protein haze from your ferments is the same stuff that … Continue reading →

Lat week, I wrote about delayed budbreak in my vineyard. While I focused on the delays in the Aglianico block, I also mentioned that my Montepulciano started coming in about a week later that usual. So, the whole vineyard came in … Continue reading →

This morning, I drove out to Woodland Hills and picked up my crusher-destemmer. All stainless steel parts with aluminum adjustable-gap crusher rollers. This was a floor model with some minor scratch-and-dent but it looks like it will do. The stand was … Continue reading →

“If you want to make a small fortune in the wine industry, start with a large one.” The essence of that truism, that wine growing and making can be ARE a money-consuming endeavor, can be applied to the hobbyist. Essential, specialty, … Continue reading →