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Never understood using flat scrapers on round bottles so I searched out and bought a 2.75 in to 3 in. muffler adapter at a local parts store. Cut it in half lengthwise and ground/filed the edges smooth. The curved half-circle edges already have bevels. Thought about attaching a handle, but it...

I've used the soapy water method with great results for the past several years. One trick I use, after noticing that they tend to tumble towards the ground before taking flight, is to position a tray with soapy water directly under a leaf where some of them are feasting or hanging out (or doing...

My first competition entry was the American Wine Society amateur competition in 2019. Took a bronze medal for a Chambourcin/Zinfandel blend. About $25 per entry. The amateur judging comes back to you with notes from each of the 3 judges, rating the 7 or 8 criteria in the category you enter. They...

Last year I invested in 3 Seidel variable capacity stainless tanks, 110L (27 gallons) each. The beauty of these is that I can go the full 27 gallons full, or less. I have 3 corresponding 55 gallon plastic drums for primary fermentation and then press into the tanks. I started with 5 gallons in a...

I have drilled lids to accept rubber stoppers with holes for bubblers/airlock. A trick I learned from a tradesman is, when cutting plastic barrels, to use a hole saw but run it backwards. This scores the plastic much more evenly and lets you control the cut with less tear-out. I think 1.25" or...

My wife asked me whether I had checked the posted results of the Winemaker Mag amateur competition, which I hadn't. I entered 4 wines, 3 of which didn't place but still drinkable (a blend, with lots of other entries, a Malbec that had an overdose of Spanish cedar [cigar box wood-a little goes a...

A lot of wine lovers in my neighborhood. I am now "always" collecting bottles from anyone who wants to drop them off. They now appear in my carport in bags or boxes, from whom I do not know.

I started in 2019 with 5 gallons, 30 gallons in 2020, and 45 gallons in 2021. Last year I invested in 3, 27 gallon (110L) Spiedel variable capacity tanks. That is good for 80 gallons when totally full, which I plan to do, and will likely max out at that level. I have room in my space for about...

Yeah, this is a problem I am trying to solve also. My technique, in 6 gal carboys, is to use the tubing with the end visible up against the side of the glass so I can see where it is. I pump (using a transfer pump) and tilt to extract as much as I can before it is in danger of sucking up...

Thanks for the tips on the ascorbic acid. Was considering that as well, a recommended pre-treatment for the Reduless, especially in this case where the H2S has been with the wine for several weeks.

We often come here to seek info and solutions, which I have used in abundance (thank you to the organizers and contributors in our community), when we encounter problems, but I wanted to share a small success. Important to share our wins, as well as the losses or narrowly avoided disasters, yes...

The truth is out there.

I learned in middle school science class to never directly sniff a container of any chemical. Proper lab technique is to open and then, holding the container about a foot away from your nose, use your hand to fan the vapor towards your nose, that way you will not pass out, damage sensitive...

We had a couple of big chestnut trees come down over the last 2 or more years. I've got loads of cut wood blocks out in the yard and will try toasting some chips or sticks for use in some of the wines I currently have going. Will post my results somewhere down the line. I also used half a...

I know this posting is old, but if anyone comes across it researching toasting oak for winemaking, this is absolutely incorrect. Red oak is NOT used in barrel (or oak additives) for wine. Too many off flavors and chemistry not conducible to good wine flavors. White oak IS the preferred north...

Congratulations! That's great affirmation and reward for the efforts. I made a small 5 gal. batch of home grown Chambourcin and Zinfandel concentrate from CA in 2019 and entered the AWS amateur contest and took a bronze. I was very excited. The judging notes are very, very helpful in the amateur...

It's really not too hard. Kind of fun, actually. Fumes are pretty strong, so make sure you do it where you have some good ventilation/air flow.

Yeah, I'd suggest you study up on paper chromatography a bit. There are some good videos on Youtube. Here's one:

I use that exact same kit. They provide plenty of the Whatman paper (like blotter paper), but the developer solution, I estimate, is good for about 20 tests. It seems a bit pricey at first, but once you get the hang of running the chromatography, it really can provide a level of confidence in...

The other thing you need to pay attention to is the SO2 level. In order for MLF to complete, you need to hold off on adding additional SO2 as that will stop the fermentation. But, that leaves the wine susceptible to spoilage from other bacteria. My current vintage completed AF a bit over a week...