Your Winemaking Educational Source
Malolactic fermentation is often associated with red wines and some Chardonnays. Specifically “buttery” Chardonnay. But what is it?
As the name implies it is a form of fermentation. Unlike a yeast fermentation, however, during malolactic fermentation no alcohol is produced.
Instead malic acid is converted into lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria. Clever name I know.
Potassium metabisulfite comes with just about every wine kit and is used as an additive even in wineries.
This article explores what potassium metabisulfite is and how it works. To learn how to figure out how much to add to your wine check out Adding Potassium Metabisulfite to Wine (includes a calculator).
But what does it do? What is it for? Is it safe? Let’s find out. Continue reading “Using Potassium Metabisulfite to Make Wine”
The saga continues with the racking of my experimental Riesling fermented with two different yeast strains. Read this if you missed part one.
Up to this point the two batches of Riesling have been fermenting separately. One in a primary fermentation bucket and the other in a six gallon carboy. Little could be observed of the two wines.
However, I recently got a chance to see, smell, and taste the two Riesling batches when I racked them into their respective carboys. Here’s what I found. Continue reading “The Great Riesling Yeast Experiment (Part II)”
Yeast can have a profound affect on the final flavor and aroma profiles of a wine or so we’re told. But how much of a difference is there really from one yeast to another? To answer this question I set up the Great Riesling Yeast Experiment.
In this experiment I set out to ferment one Riesling kit in two, three gallon batches with two different yeast strains. Continue reading “The Great Riesling Yeast Experiment (Part I)”
Yeast, a winemaker’s best friend, and star of the show when it comes to fermenting grapes into wine. They make it all possible. With a properly hydrated yeast your fermentation will start strong and be less likely to get stuck. Which is why it’s critical to understand how to rehydrate yeast. Continue reading “How to Re-Hydrate Yeast”