A blog dedicated to the places and faces of natural wine. Join us in our journey through terroir.
The Saignée method, from the French word "saigner" meaning "to bleed," is a specialized winemaking technique primarily used in the production of rosé wines, but it also serves a dual purpose in the concentration of red wines. 1. Purpose of Saignée: Rosé Production: The primary purpose of the Saignée method is to produce rosé wines with a distinct flavor profile...
• Yeast is a single-cell fungi essential to alcoholic fermentation • It converts the sugar in grape juice (fruit juice) into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2) • There can be ambient yeast or cultured yeast Ambient yeast • Also known as native yeast or wild yeast, it’s found in the winery or vineyard • Ambient yeast is peculiar to the...
Alcoholic fermentation accompanied the evolution of humankind. The first evidence of such practice dates back to 7,000 BCE, but scientists have reasons to believe that it was actually known long before. Humans evolved fermenting stuff. As I was doing some research for these slides, I was struck by the fact that there is virtually no culture in the world where...
If you’re looking to ease into this hot fall season look no further than the crisp, fizzy wine treat – piquette. Some people turn to an ale when the leaves change, but if you’re wanting something different that’s somewhere between a sour beer and wine spritzer then crack open a piquette and enjoy. It’s the prickly low ABV sweeping trend...
Welcome back to the temple of all that is amber and has been sanctified on the glory of the #sacredskins. We continue our journey through the multi-faceted world of orange wines. At the risk of being repetitive, we’d like to first re-establish what we’re talking about and then dispel one myth. When speaking about orange wines, AKA skin contact white...
Someone once said: “A white wine fermented without any time on the skins is like listening to Pink Floyd covered by Justin Bieber and thinking you know what rock music is.” EPIPHANYI admit it, that someone was me and every time I look back at the first time I tried what is now commonly known as orange wine I relive...
Buying organic is a no-brainer for millions of people across the country. An ever-increasing level of attention is paid not only to what we put in our body but more generally what we buy. Ethical, sustainable, artisanal, hand-made, and small-production are attributes we often look for when purchasing products, not only food products. Why then do a vast majority of...
Terroir is the favorite word of winemakers, vignerons, sommeliers, and wine lovers. It's used in various contexts and sometimes with shifting meaning. But what does terroir actually mean? And more importantly, what is the role of terroir for the quality of a wine? A Definition of Terroir The word terroir, etymologically stemming from the latin word 'terratorium', which means land...
In the wine world of today sulfites are a hot topic creating both debate and sometimes confusion. Let's try and dispel some of the myths surrounding the use of sulfites in winemaking. What are Sulfites? Sulfites, or sulfur dioxide (SO2), is a chemical compound naturally occurring or produced in a laboratory, which is used as a preservative for wine and...
Pop, Six, Squish, Uh uh, Cicero, Lipschitz! That’s the line from Chicago – a Broadway musical for those who aren’t musical theatre enthusiasts – that comes to mind when you take a sip of a wine that’s produced through carbonic maceration. Although it is created through a fairly mechanical process that some might call “sciency”, what it creates is a...
Skin contact wines, how daring and different, and guess what it is! Skin contact wine is a popular trendy oddity that is taking off. It’s like your cool, vintage-clad neighbor who wears tinted sunglasses everywhere they go and you wonder not only where they’re going, but also where did they get those boots? Can I be them? Skin contact wines...
How do we have a great day? Have a little rosé, that’s what I say! All of the cheers and fun songs aside, rosé is the go-to wine of choice when you want to keep things easy and light with potential for cheekiness and deep conversations. Its famous pink hue and breezy attitude are catching. Rosé is the guest at...
What is a Pét-nat Pétillant Naturel (a.k.a. “Pét-nat”) is the natural sparkling wine that thinks outside the special-occasion drink. Pét-nat’s are your spontaneous fast friend who takes you to a secret warehouse party where John Legend happens to be there. They’re fun, accessible, and ready for you to dive into the adventure! Pét-nat dates back pre-Champagne and is made using...
