Champagne, the ultimate celebratory drink, has been an essential part of many special occasions for centuries. It’s a symbol of luxury and indulgence, and it has even been called the “drink of the gods.” But have you ever wondered what would happen to a bottle of champagne if it were left in a hot car?…
Embarking on the exciting journey of making homemade wine? Then, mastering the art of racking is essential for achieving top-notch quality and taste. Racking is a crucial step in the winemaking process that separates your precious wine from unwanted sediment or lees – those particles that settle at the bottom during fermentation. In this blog,…
A yeast starter, also known as a liquid yeast culture, is a pre-fermentation technique that prepares yeast cells for use in large batches of wine or cider. To create a yeast starter: It’s important to note that adding nutrients such as yeast energizer or nutrient can help ensure the viability of your starter. Pro Tip:…
Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed for centuries around the world. It is made from grapes and other fruits, but how wine is actually produced may not be widely understood. The process of producing wine can involve fermentation, distillation or both, depending on the type of beverage you are making. So…
As a home brewer, you may be wondering how much priming sugar you need to carbonate 1 gallons (3.8 liters) of your sparkling wine. So, how much priming sugar per gallon do you need exactly? For 1 gallons or 3.8 liters of brew, you will want to add 16 grams of sugar to get a…
Have you ever wanted to turn cranberry juice into your own homemade alcohol? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Average cranberry juice can be fermented into a wine or cider with about 5% alcohol. Like other fruit juices, it will ferment when you add yeast to it. If you want higher alcohol percentages…
As a brewer, you may have come across the term “pectic enzyme” and wondered what it is and what it does. Pectic enzyme (also called pectinase) is an important ingredient in the brewing of cider and wine. Pectic enzyme is a type of enzyme that breaks down pectins. Pectins are found in the cell walls…
A lot of people are intimidated by wine, thinking it’s too snooty or complicated. But it doesn’t have to be! Choosing a good sweet white wine is not always trivial, as these are often associated with the cheaper, less acidic and full-bodied wines or those exclusively used for desserts. As a general rule, wines grown…
As a professional brewer and microbiologist, I’ve spent years studying and savoring various wines. My passion doesn’t just stop at understanding the microscopic intricacies of fermentation; it delves deep into the sensory experiences that each wine brings. Today, we’re journeying into the world of port wines, specifically examining the differences between Tawny and Ruby ports.…
As a seasoned home brewer, one question that I often get asked is “how long does homemade wine last?” The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it might seem. The longevity of homemade wine greatly depends on a variety of factors including the type of wine, the quality of the ingredients used,…