Ask a Winemaker

01/22/2022

What is an Amphora? Chad and Bree Stock MW explain the work that Andrew Beckham is doing at Novum.

12/14/2021

Oregon vs Burgundy?

Master of Wine Bree Stock gave us a quick, but impressively detailed overview.

Master of Wine Bree Stock compares Pinot Noir from Oregon and Burgundy. In under two minutes, there are years of education to unpack as Bree describes diffe...

10/31/2019

A few years back we marveled at how Fred Scherrer prepared for and solved any problem that harvest threw at him.

Harvest 2019 at the Scherrer Winery has revealed a whole new level of Fred's powers.

09/11/2019

The final stages of harvest prep are complete at Scherrer Winery. Making great wine is ALL about getting the small details right.

And yes, that's Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 star Jennifer Reichardt of Raft Wines who worked with Fred when we shot this back in 2013.

Preparations for a grape harvest in Sonoma, California at the Scherrer Winery include a lot of maintenance and cleaning. As romantic as the idea of winemakin...

06/28/2018

"And now, I am ready to tell you about the Minimus "I Have Brett" Rosé.

It's a Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood song."

WINE. ALL THE TIME.

Minimus "I Have Brett" Rosé Varietal: Pinot Gris Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon Year: 2016 Price: $30 Retailer: Lou Wine Shop This is my third attempt at writing this review. Which in and of itself, is a testament to the wine. It has perplexed, and hypnotized, me for two days. Just t

01/05/2018

Dive deep into with us on this frigid Chicago day.

Head over to Twitter for a thread that started with our video with George Skouras' talking about the grape at Red & White Wines and goes on to explore the area's history, pairings and more.

https://twitter.com/askawinemaker/status/949317678828871680

Thanks again to Ted Diamantis for the intro to George and today's inspiration.

“14/ And finally, any dive into will inevitably include 's excellent summary of Greek grapes - here, to finish is their summary of : https://t.co/iPhHln7fdS Stay warm, and drink different!”

12/13/2017

Charlie wanted a vineyard, Martha wanted a new house...

It's a pleasure to know you both, Charlie and Martha Barra of BARRA of Mendocino Wines - Happy Birthday to both of you!

Wine and grape grower Charlie Barra talks about how he bought fifteen acres of prime hillside vineyard land in Ukiah, California before a competitor could st...

11/01/2017

Event alert - join Winemaker Michael Malat at Table, Donkey and Stick to talk Gruner, Riesling and the original Austrian Sekt!

Our video with Michael Malat and his father on Gruner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6pRb7AZQ7E

10/26/2017

Chicagoans - Eric Texier will be at Webster Wine Bar tomorrow night - don't miss the chance to go see one of the greats of the Rhone Valley in person.

Here is our series with Eric:

Natural wines can be made from conventionally grown grapes and industrial wines can be made from Biodynamic grapes. Winemaker Eric Texier explains some of th...

10/18/2017

Folks, along with our friends at Candid Wines and Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar - we are helping to gather supplies for Meredith Miller Elliott and her in Sonoma. Please consider helping if you can!

Event details here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ycxjdoud

09/27/2017

Event alert! Meet winemaker Blair Pethel in Chicago at Table, Donkey and Stick on November 1.

You may remember our video on Blair's path from North Carolina to Domaine Dublere in Burgundy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Fs_3kD7so

Domaine Dublère dinner with Blair Pethel 11/1/17

The road to winemaking in Burgundy from North Carolina is described be Blair Pethel. Blair Pethel, an American from North Carolina, makes wine at Domaine Dub...