Oaking Beyond the Barrel
It’s no wonder that oak barrels have a long history in winemaking; oak emparts a rich flavor onto wines, a flavor that, for some palates, is synonymous with wine itself.…
Concrete and Stainless Steel – The Past and Future of Wine
Unlike in fashion, trends in technology are rarely cyclical. You’d never see someone earnestly using an old 80’s car phone now that we have tiny, high-powered computers in our pockets.…
Wine Makers, Drinkers and Subscribers
Wine clubs, once a popular staple of the 80’s and 90’s middle class, are back with a vengeance and a wider demographic. Back in the day, wine clubs were a…
Oak, Steel & Beyond: Where a Chardonnay gets its Flavors
Despite a stint of stigma, Chardonnay is the most popular variety of wine in America. But a Chardonnay can be a lot of different things. There are any number of…
Stainless Steel Wine Barrels: Earth’s Best Friend
These days, everyone is looking for environmentally-friendly ways to go about their business. Sustainability and ‘green initiatives’ are on everyone’s mind, no matter what industry they are in. Stainless steel…
The Chardonnay Renaissance
If you consider yourself a wine-lover or if you’ve ever muttered the words “I prefer red wines,” chances are you have rolled your eyes at a Chardonnay before. At the…
When Winemaking ‘Alternatives’ Become a Staple
The wine business is constantly evolving and, for the most part, winemakers are very open to innovation and new products - especially if they make their jobs easier and more…
When is it Most Cost-Effective for Winemakers to use an Oak Barrel Alternative?
With a number of winemakers using oak barrel alternatives such as stainless steel wine barrels, concrete tanks and plastic alternatives consistently on the rise, it is safe to say that…
Stainless Steel: Does it Age Like Oak?
Oak barrels were not the winemaking standard for centuries just because they look pretty. Early winemakers found that oak barrels were particularly well suited for flavoring and rounding/concentrating. As modern…
Stainless Steel Wine Barrels are the New Normal
Oak has long been considered the ‘standard’ material for wine barrels, but time moves on, and with it, technology. Many wine innovators and smaller, independent winemakers are calling on their…