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It appears you've chosen all fishing spots. Should be good timing for sockeye and kings in the rivers. Back to wine. When re-entering the US, if you stop at the Canadian duty-free shop at the border the US laws are much less restrictive and if you go over limit the duty is minimal. I know taxes...

How deep into Alaska are you going?

I'm glad you declared it. If you don't declare it and they get suspicious, you will be stuck for hours while they unload everything from your vehicle and unpack all your luggage. I am a Canadian citizen living in the US near the border. In my experience, if the agent makes you pay duty you...

So true! I like Bobby Flay's recipe as well, I make gallons of it through the summer. I like to substitute blackberry brandy for the simple syrup. And modify everything to taste.

Where in Alaska? In Fairbanks we had blueberries and low bush cranberries.

I started a MV Rose, pitched yeast 3 days ago using a starter, EC1118 with sugar and Goferm. The starter wasn't very active after 36 hours but I dumped it in anyway. OG was 1.086. There is slight foam on top but after 3 days the hydrometer has barely moved if at all. My room is 68 degrees. I...

One year in, ready to bottle the cab and merlot. Both are tasting quite drinkable. Funny thing is I can hardly tell the difference between the two. I may not have a very refined palate but I should be able to tell the difference. Kind of odd.

Here's a comparison. I picked up a club release this weekend. The 2020 Dissident is a Cab, Merlot, Malbec, PV blend. Club price $40. Pomponette is a $15 bottle. Sour, I don't think I could drink a full glass. So I blended 50/50 with a cheap weekday Merlot I had made, which by itself is not...

Monetary value is important to me because I spend way too much money on wine. Points ratings are fine but I find it much easier to compare one wine to another by how much I had to pay. I buy mostly direct from wineries where I can try before I buy. Wines I enjoy are typically in the $35-$70...

Interesting topic. Washington's Betz Winery scrubbed their entire 2020 vintage due to smoke taint, but they were the only winery in the region to do so. This summer I bought a case of 2017 Syrah from Terra Blanca on Red Mountain. 2017 was a heavy smoke year for that region. If you're aware of...

I have been somewhat disappointed with most kits I've made so far, but I opened an En Primeur Chilean Malbec tonight and impressed the wife. It's 15 months in and actually tastes like a wine I would pay decent money for. I did a one month EM on this one but have no baseline to compare to. It's...

I've been experimenting with port. There is advantage in splitting batches and trying different spirits to see what you like. My favorite flavor so far is Christian Brothers brandy. I bulk age a minimum 6 months, gone as high as 22% abv and it still tastes smooth. I don't adjust acid but I'm...

When in Hawaii...

I agree with your philosophy. And I appreciate when others share methods they have found successful. I'm thinking of fortifying some with aguardiente

Sounds like you're ending up about 18.5%. That qualifies in my books. You didn't mention back-sweetening. If you're fermenting dry don't you need to sweeten it?

What a great idea for pizza! Just bulgogi, scallions, tomatoes and sesame seeds? But how is bulgogi vegan?

I hope this thread still gets read. Sounds like several members have port skills. Last year I made my first blackberry port. Followed a recipe that called for 14% ABV wine fortified to 20% with brandy. Turned out excellent. 8 gallons of wine required a lot of brandy. This year I made 14...

Thought this was an odd subject for a wine forum, but now I read it with interest. It seems to reveal something about one's personality. OK, so I'll throw myself under that bus. I guess I'm a bit of an extremist, not all that keen on moderation. I have experimented with various forms of fasting...

This is good to know. I avoided Bochart because the company seemed sketchy. There are no businesses at their listed addresses. The only reviews I could find were on Amazon and very negative. If you're having success, that is encouraging. Got any wine in that barrel yet? Sometimes wine can find...

Yes, I read your other thread on the subject. I'll be interested to know how well the Bochart seals up. Their return window is 14 days. Please keep us posted on your progress.