Blog entries

Tell Me How to Do My Job

Tim Vandergrift — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:48:34 +0100

Nice manicure

One of the important and oft-repeated tasks of being the technical guy is the technical writing portion of the program (right behind the talent competition and the swimsuit finals). Whenever there are new winemaking protocols put into place, or a new kit is introRead More...

A Great Resolution

Tim Vandergrift — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:36:17 +0100

Latin for, 'Die, bottom-dwelling fish!'

I've never made a lot of New Year's resolutions. Mainly I think that they're a way of bargaining with your future self to endure hardship for gain, and when you don't stick to the resolution, you feel like you've been betrayed by your chronologicalRead More...

Do sulfites in (red) wine really cause headaches?

Daniel Pambianchi — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:06:24 +0100

Ah! Those bad sulfites; they’re such an easy target. What else can people
blame for headaches after drinking red wine? After all, there is even a
regulation that requires the mandatory mention contains sulfites on all wine sold in the U.S. So there must be
some health concerns with sulfites. But why is that not indicated on other
sulfite-containing food and beverages? Why is wine singled out? All are valid,
interesting questions.

I get asked this
question quite frequently, as of lately, particularly in light of recent
studies linking bisphenol-A (BPA)—the plastic used to line beverage containers
and tin food cans—to cancer. The latest research from the Université de
Sherbrooke in Québec, Canada and published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology reports that BPA can adversely affect
development of the fetus in pregnant women.

I have this thing about New Years. It'Read More...

Riddling in the Méthode Champenoise

Daniel Pambianchi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:39 +0100

As I set about to run some trials
in disgorging and adding dosage to riddled bubbly—two critical steps in the méthode champenoise (aka traditional
method) production of bottled-fermented sparkling wine—I was reminded of an
interesting question asked by an attendee at my seminar at the last WineMaker Magazine Conference in Napa
Valley: “Why not simply place bottles upside down in carton boxes instead of
having to riddle each bottle every day for 21 days?”

Year in the Vineyard, Week #30

The End of Harvest, AKA

'Killing the God'

Welcome to the final weekly installment of 'Year in the Vineyard'. Thanks to all who followed this story from startRead More...

Year in the Vineyard Wine Blog, Week #29 October 9-15 2009

Wes Hagen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:20:12 +0100

Week #29:

Rain: The Pause That Refreshes

It rained! And while that might not be a big deal where you live--we have seen no measurable rainfall since April--6 months ago. That's a long time to be dry. Which reminds me, I should get a beer. OK back. But yeah, it rained! A good inch and a half. I figured out once that Read More...

Winemaking and the Phases of the Moon

Daniel Pambianchi — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:03:08 +0100

As I was helping out my Italian
buddy make wine last evening, I was reminded of the days when my dad would warn
me against interfering with wine on a full moon.

Ah yes! Leave
it to the older-generation Italian home winemakers to add a dash of their “scientific
knowledge” to winemaking: Some of it borders on the paranormal. And last time I
checked, none were familiar wiRead More...

Year in the Vineyard #28: With Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe

Wes Hagen — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:09:14 +0100

In which Wes and the crew continue down the righteous path of cold fruit, outrageously aromatic fermentations and long soaks in the Jacuzzi knocking back beers Liam left behind…

Year in the Vineyard, Week #28

October 2-8, 2009

The Light at the End of the Tunnel…

Year in the Vineyard

Week #27

September 25-October 1, 2009

There comes a point in harvest where a winemaker goes on autopilot. Mornings arrive too fast, sleep doesn’t come when you need it, the mind is whirring and clicking in strange rhythms and your life is framed Read More...

Year in the Vineyard, Week #26: September 18-24

Wes Hagen — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:04:18 +0100

..In which Wes, Chanda, Steve and the crew experience the wonder of night picking, some pinot noir is pressed into barrel, the fruit’s looking beautiful, and we’re all getting a little giddy…

Year in the VineyardRead More...

Year in the Vineyard Wine Blog, Week #25, with Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe

Wes Hagen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:18:55 +0100

In which Wes tries to keep up with the fruit, the weather and the expectations of a dozen crafty winemakers…and finally fixes a hyperlink,

Year in the Vineyard, Week 25: In Medias Res

September 11-17, 2009

With Wes Hagen, VineRead More...

Year in the Vineyard Wine Blog, Week #24, September 4-10, 2009

Wes Hagen — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:00:23 +0100

...in which Wes and the crew finish some Rose' and start getting ready for the onslaught of harvest next week. Oh yeah, and the puppy, can't forget the puppy...

Year in the Vineyard with Wes Hagen, Clos Pepe Vineyards

WeekRead More...

Technology Marches On

Tim Vandergrift — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:20:58 +0100

In my last blog I said science lesson was over. Well, it's back on! Today a bit about what makes wine kits stay fresh, and what the march of science brings us.

Louis-Lou-aye, me gotta go now . . .

Louis Pasteur is one of my favorite hero-scientists. He had a gigantic brain on him, anRead More...

Year in the Vineyard, Week #23 with Wes Hagen, Clos Pepe

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:52:26 +0100

In which Wes, Chanda and the crew get two real days of work in, the weather gets hot again, we apply a lot of water to the vineyard and the 2008 vintage gets bottled.

Year in the Vineyard, Week #23

By Wes Hagen, VM/WM Clos Pepe VineyRead More...