Search results

SpoiledRotten, I also used to use synthetic corks, in order to prevent any bottles getting "corked" (TCA), but then I had the same problems you did, so I don't use them anymore. Now I use agglomerated corks and have had no problems so far.

Hi all! I've done quick video of the Hedging, Lateral Pulling, and Shoot Tucking that I'm doing in my home vineyard this time of year. I hope the info is helpful! Andy

Hi all! Due to my home winemaking club and judging at the US Amateur Winemaking Competition I drink a lot of homie wines, and the biggest preventable winemaking fault I have experienced - by far - is excessive exposure to oxygen. Excessive oxygen exposure leads to oxidized wines and spoilage...

A couple of my club members made a great quick Bottling 101 video showing how simple and easy it is to bottle your finished wine. Here it is and I hope the information is helpful!

Well Ladies and Gents, the 46th Annual US Amateur is now in the record books! Man alive, there were a lot of great wines! The Cellarmasters of Los Angeles Home Winemaking Club Results of 46th Annual US Amateur Wine Making Competitions Best of Show Red: Jim Bond 2016 Paso Cab/Syrah Best of...

5 days to the entry deadline, do not delay! Best, Andy

ibglowin has it right. People also ship fruit juice samples, and some creative home winemakers ship "bovine urine samples"... Andy

Hi Maheesh, My winegrowing partner ordered the bee netting, so I really don't know where he got it from. There must be a number of places online that carry bee netting? The netting worked 100% to keep the bees out. I simply draped it over the rows and let the skirts lay on the ground. And it...

Hi all, just 11 days left to get your entries in! Good luck! Andy

Hi all, Online payments are now live! http://cellarmastersla.org/ Good luck! Andy

Fred, if they taste good now I'd enter them now. Not only do you get the winemaking feedback one year earlier, so you can use it one vintage sooner, but also waiting a year just gives another year for something to go wrong with your wine (cooling system breaks down, oxidation issues, etc, etc.)...

Hi Joe, great job last year! And we are looking forward to your entries again this year! Hi Jim, iirc it was $5 less last year? However, unfortunately, the Competition didn't even come close to breaking even last year, and some of the fixed costs are more expensive this year, etc. We all...

I used bee netting this year, it has very small holes. So small that I don't think the birds can see through it, so they don't know the grapes are there. Zero grapes lost to birds this year. However, the field rats have been like the plague. Andy

Wasps took my entire harvest last year. Truly disheartening. I'm using bee netting this year, and no problems with bees. The field rats, on the other hand, are a different discussion... Andy

Hello folks! The 46th Annual US Amateur Winemaking Competition will be held on November 16, 2019 Entries must be received between October 1 and November 10, 2019. International entries may be received earlier. Please send entries c/o: The Home Beer, Wine and Cheesemaking Shop, in...

Just in case it got buried in the Competition Forum, I just wanted to remind everyone that the deadline for submissions is in ten days! November 10! The 45th Annual US Amateur Winemaking Competition & 2nd Annual US Amateur Wine Label Competition will be held on November 17, 2018 Entries...

Hi All, I just wanted to send a reminder that the last date for entries is Nov 10! Best, Andy

Thanks Amanda! Best, Andy

The 45th Annual US Amateur Winemaking Competition & 2nd Annual US Amateur Wine Label Competition will be held on November 17, 2017 Entries must be received between October 1 and November 10, 2018. International entries may be received earlier. Please send entries c/o: The Home Beer...

Hi Kraffty, I'd suggest 5-A. In 3-A they'd probably score down a little because of the residual sugar. Or, if they thought of it, maybe they'd just kick it over to the 5-A table. Either way, sweet wines should be in 5-A. Good luck to all! Andy