Category: winemaking

Have you ever poured a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and caught a whiff of something that reminded you of a freshly struck match, flint, or gun smoke? This aroma, often described as “matchstick,” “reductive,” or “struck flint,” has become a hallmark of many high-quality wines from regions like Burgundy, New Zealand, and even British Columbia. While some may…

When you swirl that glass and ponder why one wine tastes crisp and lively while another feels soft and mellow, you’re sensing the delicate interplay of pH and TA, two key metrics that shape wine’s structure and personality. While often mentioned together, these two measures describe distinct aspects of acidity: pH reveals how strong the acid is, and TA reflects…

Did you know that the wine you taste when you pour it from the bottle, may not taste exactly like the wine that the winemaker had sampled at the winery?  A barrel sample in wine tasting refers to a small portion of wine that is drawn directly from the barrel during the ageing process. Winemakers use barrel samples to assess…