Recent content by WellingtonToad

Another example: Statins are widely accepted as being good for reducing Cholesterol. No argument from me there. It is also believed that they reduce the chances of CVD, etc. There are more than enough articles advising the above, and I think that studying the product since 1987 should be time...

For some years, a long time ago, I was an engineer at a car company. There was a change from carburetors to fuel injection and someone had an idea to calculate mpg for fuel being used. Common now. Bogged down by deadlines, the engineer responsible made a mistake in the calculations and so when...

History is so useful. Once upon a time, winemakers didn't understand fermentation or MLF. They simply knew that the slow stream of bubbles continued for a long time. To gain some control of this problem they had procedures to follow and defeat the problem. Some wineries still use the age old...

You have started right. Ask questions, lots of questions. Not sure where you are but you must be down south (South of Tassie) ;) Temperature considerations should include Temperatures in February. 22-24 must be average climatic temperatures not maximum daily temperatures. Although the cooler...

@keverman "I tested the SO2 and it was in a good range", leaves me with the question of what were / are the numbers. A good range for me is greater than 15 ppm (absolute minimum) of free SO2. Understand that the act of bottling can reduce the level of free SO2. The sour taste is most likely...

I can see no problems in doing that, there is an opportunity here. The first step in digging up and replanting has to be pruning the vines. There is plenty of vine that just needs to be removed. While you are doing that put some thought into taking some grape vine cuttings. Ok the cuttings...

I can't believe this discussion is happening. The usa is where Phylloxera comes from. It is THE big negative that you gave the rest of the world. Listen to Salcoco. Leaf phylloxera, what? Phylloxera winters in the soil. When the sap runs in the vine, the phylloxera migrates to the leaves...

I write with experience. Six years ago I had a wine like that (not quite as low). It was bad enough though. Put it into batches tried a few things. Calcium carbonate - yuck. Never got used to the chalk taste. Hated it. Patience - it was six years ago, and it is still very difficult to drink...

I expect that the only additive in lemon juice will be 220. 220 is sulphate, that is K-meta. If you want to ferment the lemon juice straight, then you may have a problem. When you dilute it with what ever you are adding it to, then there is little chance of a problem.

Sterilizing is a function of time and heat. It takes 15-20 minutes at 121c to sterilize a vessel or 3-4 minutes at134c. @buzi just want to check your numbers. You have used temperatures in Celsius. Living on the other side of the world that is my language. Then there is a terminology...

@1d10t don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on temp control. I am just suggesting that there is a lot more to know. I make wine from grapes. Cab sav or Shiraz. Your set up is interesting, but I can't see how I would set it up. I think I need to punch down the cap or at least do a pump over...

Last year I tried the temperature control route. It was not successful. It's not just about maintaining temperature, it's about maintaining the right temperature. Colour and aroma start from the beginning of the ferment. The required temp is about 28 - 30C. After that there may be a benefit...

We are in parallel. We appear to have been making wine for the same about of time, and have the same issue. I do however describe it differently. To me, I separate flavour and taste. Taste being mouth feel, acid, and tannins. Flavour is the berries, and a little from the oak. Firstly, I...

Geranium is a technical term that means "floral notes". So, it would seem you do have geranium. Geranium has two causes. 1. Sorbate is just one. 2. The other is yeast nutrient, type or lack of it. I have had a couple of occasions where I have made a port without nutrient or using minimal...

I focus on "age properly". I am on the other side of the world so it may be difficult for you to do the trial. One of the Heathcote, Victoria, Australia wineries, "Peregrine Ridge", has for a number of years bottled the same wine in cork and screw cap. The result is that for the first four...