11/06/08 - Shiraz Wine
Wine Making Tips from Andre: Fruit Wines and Fruit Winemaking -Part 1 of 2
Once again we have advent of the summer season in Western New York and Ontario and while some home winemakers limit their endeavors to the grape, others, including myself, anxiously await the arrival of the fresh fruit. Once dismissed out of hand by some as inferior and often quaintly referred to as "country" wines, fruit wines are enjoying a surge in popularity never seen before, embraced by amateur and professional vintners alike.
And why shouldn't they? Our region has the good fortune to possess a burgeoning agribusiness in fruit other than grapes and, as many fruit farmers have discovered (as indicated by the surge in farm winery licenses), wine returns a much more appealing margin than fruit alone. For those who are still on the fence about the virtues of fruit wine, may I suggest that you take a day to tour some of the local wine trails and try them.
For me, a family outing to the local fruit farms, especially a "U-Pick," was always gleefully anticipated as a summertime ritual. The delicious baked goods and the jellies and jams made from the fruit could be enjoyed into the cold winter months. That is, of course, if they lasted that long.
We still make and love all these things, but taking the extra time and expense to produce wine from the strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and other fruits adds another dimension that will challenge and hone your skills. This is because, unlike grapes (especially those varieties which one may regularly vint year after year), fruits, berries, and other feedstock used to make these wines have less predictable characteristics in their pH, acid, and sugar. Therefore, careful testing and attention to making the proper adjustments is important to producing a good fruit wine.
There is an abundance of websites that have good basic fruit wine recipes, and even recipes to make wine from vegetables and herbs. Simply plug 'fruit wine recipes' into a search engine.
Now for another reason why home winemakers should have a second look at fruit wines. Today, people are more health-conscious than ever. Almost every day for the past decade, starting with "The French Paradox," we've been bombarded with one clinical study after another that touts the health benefits of drinking red wine in moderation.
Well, surprise! The same health-promoting compounds found in Pinot Noir are found abundantly in fruits and berries. The polyphenol pigments that impart color to the fruit are known collectively as anthocyanins, a family of powerful antioxidants. The compound found in Pinot Noir called resveratrol is produced in greater amounts in this varietal as an antifungal because the skin of the grape is thin and susceptible to splitting. Resveratrol has been studied for its ability to block cell inflammation and oxidative stress related to arthritis and other degenerative diseases, as well as cancer treatment and prevention. *
Blackberries, mulberries, and especially blueberries are rich in powerful antioxidants like resveratrol. Blueberries also contain phytosterol and pterostilbene, which have recently been shown to be useful in lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol, preventing heart disease, and protecting the body against certain cancers.
None of these beneficial compounds are lost in the winemaking process, so why not raise a glass of fruit wine and drink to your health?
*Joseph, J.A., Shukitt-Hale B., Denisova, N.A. Bielinski D., Martin, A., McEwen, J.J., and Bickford, P.C. "Reversal of Age-Related Declines in the Neuronal Signal Transduction, Cognitive, and Motor Behavioral Deficits with Blueberry, Spinach, or Strawberry Dietary Supplementation," Journal of Neuroscience, September 15, 1999, Vol. 19, No. 18. pp. 8114-8121.]
Winemaking Tips from Ande Pazik of www.bubbleflo.com
E-mail Contact: dkceo@bubbleflo.com
About the Author
Andre Pazik, Executive Vice President & CTO, is a former teacher with a passion for fine food and wine. During his successful careers in criminal justice and education, Andre's interest in winemaking continue to grow. His experiments in monitoring fermentation led to the invention of the BubbleFlo system. www.bubbleflo.com
A synopsis on Shiraz Wine.
Wine Making Tips from Andre: Fruit Wines and Fruit Winemaking -Part 1 of 2
Once again we have advent of the summer season in Western New York and Ontario and while some home winemakers limit their endeavors to the grape, othe...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Featured Shiraz Wine Items
Windisch Pinot Grigio
Our Pinot Grigio from Germany is a wonderful dry white wine from the Rheinhessen, but crafted in the Italian Style. This superb wine goes well beyond most Pinot Grigios available on the open market, and provides a whole new dimension in taste enjoyment. Crisp but complex, the wine has tones of grassy melon and a wild flower bouquet which make it very attractive. A great wine that goes well with pasta dishes, seafood and the lighter meals we enjoy in the summer. Online delivery. GWPGW703 GWPGW703
Price: 24.95 USD
Shiraz Wine in the news
Liquid Assets (The Sacramento Bee)
Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:26:01 -0800
Joe the Plumber, robo calls, that Proposition 3 commercial with Jamie Lee Curtis conducting a children's choir … no matter what side of the aisle your political views, I'm sure most of us could use a good post-election drink. Here are three wines that'll help you decompress from the madness and media overload of Decision 2008. This is "Liquid Assets" and I proudly ...
UK: Demand for English sparkling wines on the up (Just Drinks)
Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:58:14 -0800
Demand for English sparkling wine is predicted to outstrip supply six times over in the run-up to Christmas, the industry has said.
Gosset 1999 Grand Millesime Brut - Champagne & Sparkling
Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:46:32 -0800
Vintage by Gosset from Champagne, France - regions. Founded in Ay Pierre Gosset in 1584, Gosset is one of the smallest producers of luxury Champagne, but what it lacks in volume it amply makes up for in quality and prestige. Gosset only uses juice from the first and best pressing of grapes, and unlike most other producers, initial fermentation is still carried out in small oak barrels. Riddling and disgorgement are performed by hand. Significantly, and in contrast to virtually all other house
Scharffenberger Brut - Champagne & Sparkling
Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:31:29 -0800
Non-Vintage by Scharffenberger from North Coast, California. Scharffenberger Brut is made by the traditional methode champenoise process - whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. The wine is approximately two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay and undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation. Scharffenberger Brut is made from its own 120-acre vineyards in the Anderson Valley. In addition, Scharffenberger Cellars has long-term contracts with se
November events
Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:55:00 -0800
Not as many food/drink going-ons this month, given the intermittent showers and of course, Thanksgiving that quite a few LA/OC restaurants are already prepping for, but here's a few nice picks for this month:Asides from the aforementioned Grace dinner benefiting youths pursuing culinary careers, the other must-try-if-you-can event this month is the 22nd Annual Great Chefs of LA dinner benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California taking place at CBS Studio Center on Nov. 9. H
Wine Master
Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:06:12 -0800
This is great if you’re a wine connoisseur wanabe and you have always wanted to be with the new Wine Master. This little device lets you know what type of wine to select, depending on meal, vintage, or location. Even learn how to store your wine. Great quick reference for both the experienced wine devotee or beginner! Access information about red wines, white wines, rose, dessert and sparkling wines whether table or vintage wines. Learn how to taste wines and choose wines, whether you’re in a
Wine Lovers
Wine Definitions
Wine House | Wine Icon
Labels: Order Wine
