Synopses & Reviews
Home winemaking is an appealing hobby for a new generation of wine lovers lured by the promise of a great payoff — small batches of handmade wine. It’s fun to experiment with flavors and share a few delicious bottles with friends and family. But safely fermenting, bottling, and aging wine is a demanding process requiring special equipment, impeccable sanitation, an understanding of chemical reactions, and the patience to see the aging process through to the end. No matter how experienced the home winemaker, unforeseen questions can develop with every new batch of wine.When a winemaker discovers leaky corks or finds an oily film on his fermenting wine, what’s the quickest way to get help? The Wine Maker’s Answer Book is a 24/7 help line with advice on hundreds of winemaking problems. From the basic curiosity of the novice (What equipment will I need to get started?) to the finer points of fermentation (What is the impact of malolactic fermentation on acidity?), every step of the process is covered in detail.Author Alison Crowe uses a friendly question-and-answer format to explain the mysteries of turning grape juice into wine, whether the reader is beginning with fresh grapes or a home winemaking kit. Covering every situation a winemaker is likely to face, this handy, at-a-glance reference will make every batch of wine taste better.
Review
"A handy little book that explains winemaking in terms and techniques in a friendly clear tone." Sacramento Magazine
Synopsis
Whether you re curious about procuring basic equipment or struggling to grasp the finer points of fermentation, Alison Crowe has expert answers to all of your winemaking questions. With straightforward advice on everything from the best way to press fruit to how long you should cellar your wine, Crowe has you covered throughout the entire winemaking process. Packed with encouragement and proven solutions, The Winemaker s Answer Book will have even the most bewildered winemaker confidently bottling up batch after batch of delectable homemade wine."
Synopsis
Alison Crowe, WineMaker magazine's popular "Wine Wizard," supplies practical, easy-to-follow answers to every question and problem that stands between you and your perfect vintage—from choosing the raw ingredients to fully understanding the mysteries of fermentation. Smooth and well-balanced, this broad range of winemaking solutions will satisfy the most inquisitive vintner.
Synopsis
The Winemakers Answer Book is a 24/7 help line with advice on hundreds of winemaking problems. From the basic questions of the novice (What equipment do I need to get started?) to the finer points of fermentation (What is the effect of malolactic fermentation on acidity?), every step of the process is covered in a friendly question-and-answer format. For winemakers at all levels of expertise, this handy, at-a-glance reference will make every batch of wine taste better.
About the Author
Alison Crowe is a professional winemaker in Napa, California. She has authored the popular “Wine Wizard” column in WineMaker magazine since 1998 and is a frequent contributor to Wine Business Monthly and Vineyard & Winery Management magazines. A graduate of the University of California-Davis's Department of Viticulture & Enology, she has made wine at California's Chalone Vineyard, Bonny Doon Vineyard, and Byington Winery & Vineyard, as well as at Bodegas Salentein in Argentina.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
The Basics of the Winemaking Process
Choosing and Using Winemaking Equipment
From Vine to Vat: Wine from Fresh Grapes
Wine Chemistry 101: Sulfites, Acid, pH, and More
Choosing and Using the Right Yeast
Fermentation: Bubbles without Troubles
Aging, Oaking, Fining, and Filtering
All About Bottling
Smelly Wine and Other Tough Problems
Evaluating, Serving, and Enjoying Your Wine
Fruits and Roots: Country and Kit Winemaking
Different Sips: From Sparkling to Strong to Strange
Glossary
Resources
Index