WELCOME!

This site is to pass on what I am doing in home winemaking, and how you can do it too! Where possible I will place worthwhile references under the links heading.

I enjoy making wine and getting recognition for it, so will continue

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Above oicture is of my awards and some of the wines.

2023 is behind us and 2024 is here.  Completed bottling on 31 May 2024.

 

CRUSH 2024 is here!

2024 is a Chardonnay year, and I got my wine must from Delta Packing again!  Easy and simple.

25 October 2024

2 weeks earlier added Super Kleer Finings (Kieselsol/Chitosan) to each at 65 ml each.  The Kieselsol went in firs and 2 hours later added the cgitosan,

3 days later added Cristaline Plus  (a blend of isinglass (fish-derived protein) and citric acid stabilized with SO2) to each,

10 days later checked and wine appeared clear.  Tasted and is going well.  Took some readings and all looks good, so racked to clear carboys.

Pail	4	5	6
pH	3.9	3.9	3.9
TA	9	9	9
SO2 ppm	50	50	50

Took approximately 2.5 gallons of #4 and added aproximately 0.5 gallons of 50% ABV brandy produced from 3 of the original pails.  Added 9 oz/aa6 g of corn sugar for sweetness, and added 2 oz/56g of medium toast American oak chips.  Plan to age this for about 2 months and then check.

To the rest racked about 1/3 of each to 3 crbouys to give about 5 gallons each.  this allows some mixing of each.

Added about 2 oz of medium toast American oak cubes to each, and then topped up with glass ablls and 250 ml of 2020 Carnerous Chardonnay (see 2020 Crush).

Left is fortfied, other 3 are 2024 Lodi Chardonnay.

For more details see HERE. 

My Wine - outlines what I have been doing with my home winemaking. Click Here

Wine 101 - is an introduction to Home Winemaking for the beginner. Updated and added a new section on working with grapes. Click Here

Links - provide special links to other sites of interest. Click Here

Special Topics - are discussions of topics related to wine making and other topics.  Click Here

Please enjoy and let me know what you think of the site and especially if there is anything you would like me to cover.

 

Or my excursion into winemaking

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact me at:: info@smartdogwinery.com