Two Viogniers, two different wines, let the judges decide

[NorCal]

The back story is: @4score and I went in on a half ton of Viognier last year. We crushed, pressed and settled the grape juice at my house and then we parted ways.

23.7 brix, 3.5 pH, I used D47 yeast and beta mlf with a final pH of 3.6. I aged in glass, 1 med oak spiral per carboy. The result was a sharp tasting, undrinkable in my view. I associated due to the high TA. I added 1.5 g/l potassium bicarbonate as a last resort and dropped the sharpness substantially. In my view made the wine drinkable.

I shared what I did with @4score, he chose to not be as heavy handed as I and bottled as is.

Both wines are being entered in the CA State Fair tomorrow. We have a bet. Who ever gets a higher ribbon owes the other a bottle of Viognier. A tie we swap.

 

[sour_grapes]

Is that a Sunbeam brake drum? Seems very wide!

 

[mainshipfred]

The back story is: @4score and I went in on a half ton of Viognier last year. We crushed, pressed and settled the grape juice at my house and then we parted ways.

23.7 brix, 3.5 pH, I used D47 yeast and beta mlf with a final pH of 3.6. I aged in glass, 1 med oak spiral per carboy. The result was a sharp tasting, undrinkable in my view. I associated due to the high TA. I added 1.5 g/l potassium bicarbonate as a last resort and dropped the sharpness substantially. In my view made the wine drinkable.

I shared what I did with @4score, he chose to not be as heavy handed as I and bottled as is.

Both wines are being entered in the CA State Fair tomorrow. We have a bet. Who ever gets a higher ribbon owes the other a bottle of Viognier. A tie we swap.
View attachment 54255

That's some high stakes gambling!

 

[NorCal]

Is that a Sunbeam brake drum? Seems very wide!

@sour_grapes , you are definitely a car guy!

It is from the Sunbeam Alpine I bought, but it is not a Sunbeam brake shoe. It has a Ford V6, 4 speed and rearend from a 70’s Capri.

 

[sour_grapes]

It's good to know a '70s Capri is good for something.

 

[4score]

Well, I think you've over-simplified my end of the winemaking. In fact, another difference is that I used Prelude non-sac yeast for a minimal 2-brix reduction (24.5 to 22.5) before introducing D47 yeast to finish the job. I sampled part of my batch with American oak but chose to go without oak on the majority. Also, tried MLF, but it never completed and I gave up (SO2 and bottled). I rather prefer the zesty acidic punch. I felt I let the wine stay generally what it wanted to to become with gentle urging. My hands were like angel wings....light and whispy.

 

[NorCal]

Well, I think you've over-simplified my end of the winemaking. In fact, another difference is that I used Prelude non-sac yeast for a minimal 2-brix reduction (24.5 to 22.5) before introducing D47 yeast to finish the job. I sampled part of my batch with American oak but chose to go without oak on the majority. Also, tried MLF, but it never completed and I gave up (SO2 and bottled). I rather prefer the zesty acidic punch. I felt I let the wine stay generally what it wanted to to become with gentle urging. My hands were like angel wings....light and whispy.

lol

 

[Chuck E]

Well, I think you've over-simplified my end of the winemaking. In fact, another difference is that I used Prelude non-sac yeast for a minimal 2-brix reduction (24.5 to 22.5) before introducing D47 yeast to finish the job. I sampled part of my batch with American oak but chose to go without oak on the majority. Also, tried MLF, but it never completed and I gave up (SO2 and bottled). I rather prefer the zesty acidic punch. I felt I let the wine stay generally what it wanted to to become with gentle urging. My hands were like angel wings....light and whispy.

Can I buy Prelude in small quantities? 500 grams is too much for a home wine maker.

 

[4score]

Another manufacturer makes a Torulaspora delbrueckii called BioDiva (same as Prelude). You may try searching for that. Good luck.

 

[Chuck E]

Another manufacturer makes a Torulaspora delbrueckii called BioDiva (same as Prelude). You may try searching for that. Good luck.

Thanks!

 

[NorCal]

Results from the Fair in two weeks.....drumroll please.

 

[mainshipfred]

Results from the Fair in two weeks.....drumroll please.

My first entry results should be on the 18th. Can't wait!

 

[Chuck E]

Another manufacturer makes a Torulaspora delbrueckii called BioDiva (same as Prelude). You may try searching for that. Good luck.

I ordered a couple packages from White Labs on their "From the Vault" program. It's a contingency program, whereby if they get enough orders, they will make the run to fulfill the orders. It might not be here in time for my spring ferments, but hopefully for fall.

https://www.whitelabs.com/yeast-vault

 

[mainshipfred]

I ordered a couple packages from White Labs on their "From the Vault" program. It's a contingency program, whereby if they get enough orders, they will make the run to fulfill the orders. It might not be here in time for my spring ferments, but hopefully for fall.

https://www.whitelabs.com/yeast-vault

Chuck, you're a braver man than I. Considering they primarily concentrate on brew yeasts I would be skeptical. Not to mention the only White Labs product I ever used was an MLB that never worked even after 5 tries.

 

[Boatboy24]

Results from the Fair in two weeks.....drumroll please.

That's a heckuva long drum roll...

 

[sour_grapes]

That's a heckuva long drum roll...

Where's John Bonham when you need him?

 

[Boatboy24]

Where's John Bonham when you need him?

Ted Zeppelin:

 

[sour_grapes]

Where's the anti-like button?

 

[Chuck E]

Ted Zeppelin:

You can't UNSEE this! Arrrgh.

 

[cmason1957]

You can't UNSEE this! Arrrgh.

Why would you want to. Made me go tell my computer to play a bunch of their songs while I work. Good Memories, well not many of them, college in the 70's and all that.