The “buttery Chardonnay” taste results from malolactic fermentation (MLF), where sharp malic acid is converted into smoother lactic acid, creating creamy textures. Not all Chardonnays are buttery; cool-climate and modern styles often skip MLF and oak aging, resulting in crisp, fresh flavors. Understanding winemaking choices helps consumers select their preferred style.
Category Archives: Producing Wine
Shiraz vs Cabernet Sauvignon: What’s the Real Difference?
Shiraz vs Cabernet Sauvingon: what is the difference you need to know?
How many grapes are in a bottle of wine?
How many bottles do you get from a vine? How many bunches of grapes are in a bottle of wine? There are many variables that go into winemaking, but to win the bar room bet remember: Approx 1kg of grapes = 1* 750ml bottle of wine. So 1000kg (1ton) = 1000 bottles (approx 84 dozen)ContinueContinue reading “How many grapes are in a bottle of wine?”
James asks: Does Berlin/Brandenburg have the conditions necessary for good wine growing?
A reader’s question from a historian friend in Berlin: At the beginning of the 1780s King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia bought up land in Potsdam’s New Garden for wine growing. Does the area around Berlin and Brandenburg really have the conditions necessary for good wine growing? Are there vineyards in Berlin/Brandenburg? yes, a fewContinueContinue reading “James asks: Does Berlin/Brandenburg have the conditions necessary for good wine growing?”
Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff
Cellar Door Etiquette: Part 2 For Staff As promised ( a long long time ago), following on from Part 1 which was directed at Cellar door visitors, now it is time for some tips for the hosts, the Cellar Door (Tasting Room) Staff. Many apologies for the delay in publishing and I really have noContinueContinue reading “Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff”
Napa Valley, where to go…
Just last month I had the opportunity to spend time in Northern California, which of course included time in the Napa Valley. As a visitor, this wine region can be daunting. They have over 100 tasting rooms packed into the 60km of the valley itself. Navigation is easy: You will either be on the SilveradoContinueContinue reading “Napa Valley, where to go…”
My Hunter Valley Top 12
Over a glass of wine last night my wife and I started discussing which dozen wines we would put together to showcase the best of the Hunter Valley to somebody who has never tried anything from the area before. Never and easy task and it is limited to wines we are quite familiar with andContinueContinue reading “My Hunter Valley Top 12”
Wine Trip: Yarra Valley August 2011
Melbourne is a great place if you like wine. There is a multitude of places to drink wine (eg Jimmy Watsons in Carlton) , top wine shops (eg Prince Wine Store in South Melbourne) and the wine regions of the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Sunbury are all within 70 Minutes by car. Many othersContinueContinue reading “Wine Trip: Yarra Valley August 2011”
Anne asks why is there the red grape Pinot Noir in my white sparkling?
After recently recommending a sparkling wine, I was asked how you can have white bubbly made from the red Pinot Noir grape? Very valid question with an answer that touches on the basis of winemaking: different grapes are different colours, as we know, but that colour is only skin deep. The juice inside any redContinueContinue reading “Anne asks why is there the red grape Pinot Noir in my white sparkling?”
Why is there so much wine in Australia?
Wine prices are dropping, producers are struggling, cleanskins are abundant. These are the signs of the oversupply being experienced by the industry at the moment. You probably know of people picking up a case of wine XY for $12, how and why? The wine glut has become a wine lake in Australia and it isContinueContinue reading “Why is there so much wine in Australia?”