updated 08/26/2023
November 2021
At this point I’ve started 4 posts that delve into winemaking in great detail. These explain my actions, reactions, and results on a daily basis. In addition to the steps I’m taking, I’m commenting on my techniques (including why I do what I do) and offering a bit of my personal philosophy regarding winemaking.
This started with documenting the making of a Finer Wine Kits Barbera, as my niece was getting a hardware setup for her birthday. This gives her an in-depth view into making one of these kits.
When I purchased a FWK Chardonnay, I decided to give it the same treatment, as it’s a white kit and there are some differences.
Then I started a Rhone blend, mixing FWK Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot kits to produce a blend we are interested in … as well as producing enough wine (initially 18 gallons) to fill a 54 liter barrel (14.25 US gallons). These are the new Forte kits which come with 2 grape skin packs and a seed packet. Ok, this is different enough that I created an “in Detail” post for this one.
Please Note: Not every wine will received the “In Detail” treatment. My intention is to address different facets of winemaking in a detailed manner, and to not do repeats. If there is something regarding a batch that I’ve not covered before, I’ll write one of these posts. Otherwise not.
December 2022
At this time I’m not seeing any value in producing more “In Detail” blogs. I’ll write another one if I do something that needs such a treatment, e.g., I adopt a technique new to me, or make something different such as mead.
| 2023 Metheglin (Mead) in Detail | updated 08/26/2023 |
| 2022 FWK Kit + Grape Pomace in Detail | updated 08/26/2023 |
| 2022 Grape Wines in Detail | updated 05/01/2023 |
| 2022 Strawberry and Blackberry in Detail | updated 10/06/2022 |
| 2022 Sauvignon Blanc in Detail | updated 10/06/2022 |
| 2022 Elderberry in Detail | updated 07/18/2023 |
| 2022 Chocolate/Raspberry Port in Detail | updated 12/04/2022 |
| 2021 Super Tuscan in Detail | updated 12/04/2022 |
| 2021 Rhone Blend in Detail | updated 12/04/2022 |
| 2021 Chardonnay in Detail | updated 05/21/2022 |
| 2021 Barbera in Detail | updated 03/10/2022 |
Winemaking 101
In October 2019 I got the idea to document my process for making wine from grapes, as a how-to for new winemakers. This produced 10 posts, which do veer off the basics in places.
These posts were the forerunners of the above “in Detail” posts.
Winemaking 101 – Episode 1 – Get Grapes
Winemaking 101 – Episode 2 – The Crush
Winemaking 101 – Episode 3 – My Purchase
Winemaking 101 – Episode 4 – Fermentation & Pressing
Winemaking 101 – Episode 5 – What is a 2nd Run Wine?
Winemaking 101 – Episode 6A – The 2019 2nd Run Wine!
Winemaking 101 – Episode 6B – 2019 2nd Run, Continued
Winemaking 101 – Episode 6C – 2019 2nd Run, Continued (again)