Ullage
March 13, 2008
I was wanting to know if the ullage of a wine can be used to indicate quality? - Gwen in Waterville, ME
When you are looking at a bottle and deciding if it is something that you are wanting to invest in. The ullage of a bottle will tell you about the condition of the contents. As a rule the larger the ullage, the more space for oxygen within the bottle which can hasten the aging process. This term refers to the unfilled air space at the top of a bottle of wine, which in this case is essential to allow for the expansion of the wine as the temperature changes.
During the wine fermentation process, the wine breathes through the cork and this adds complexity to the aromas and flavor of the wine. But if the fill levels are lower than what is normally expected for the wine’s age, it can lead to the decrease in the value of the bottle. Now, for a wine up to 20 years of age, it’s ullage level should be in the neck. As for wines 20 to 40 years old, anything below top shoulder should be viewed in caution.
Here is a quick reference guide when you are checking out a bottle of your favorite wine.
Mid neck: A mid neck fill tells if a wine that has been kept well.
Base neck: A lot of bottles are filled to the base neck level. For older wines this level indicates exceptional storage conditions.
Top shoulder: A wine which is over 10 years old with a top shoulder fill should be considered acceptable. Older wines will only have a top shoulder fill if they have been stored well.
Mid shoulder: A mid shoulder fill is not unusual for wines over 50 years old, but it may suggest that the wine has not been stored in the best of conditions.
Low shoulder: A low shoulder fill level suggests that the wine has been held in poor storage conditions and is usually not considered to be drinkable.
Below shoulder: This is not seen very often and can indicate that the ullage has dropped below the shoulder into the main section of the bottle with a very high chance that the wine is not drinkable.
Gwen, you are now armed with the right knowledge to judge whether or not you should pick up that curious bottle of wine and take it home with you. Cheers!!
A Dry Wine or a Sweet Wine?
March 6, 2008
How do you tell if you have a sweet wine or a dry wine by looking at the label? - June in Grand Junction, CO
Actually, except for dessert wines, almost all table wines are “dry” which simply means un-sweet. Some dry wines can have a more fruity taste than others and this may be considered as a slight sweetness. The list of either a dry wine or a sweet wine can be found below.
Note that there are many exceptions to what is listed so be advised that this isn’t an exact rule of thumb. However, this offers a broad summary of popular wine grapes and types and will give you a general idea of what’s in the bottle.
Sweet - Dessert wines, Port, Sauternes, Cream Sherry. Lightly Sweet - German whites, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, White Zinfandel. Dry Whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and many Italian whites. Dry Reds - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Beaujolais.
As a former virgin myself, my best advice to you June is to get out there and try as many different things as possible because you never know what you might end up liking. Cheers!!
Bottle Your Own Wine
February 29, 2008
Wine Virgin, I want to know how you bottle your own wine but I don’t know where or how to start. What’s your advice and can you help me? - Holly in Myrtle Beach, SC
Of course I can Holly. You will need a few bottle supplies but just follow the steps listed below to bottle your own wine and you can put a few away for that special occasion like breakfast, lunch… or dinner even.
First off, you will need bottles, corks and a corker. You can find all these online without much trouble and after you have acquired everything you need, here is what you do.
Step 1:
If the bottles are new and unused, rinse them with hot water and dry them. But if you are using recycled bottles, soak them in a cleaning solution recommended by a wine-making supply shop. Then rinse them with water and dry them but make positive the bottles are completely dry.
Step 2:
Prepare new corks by soaking them in water for 1 to 2 hours, then rinsing them several times with warm water. But again, if you have used corks prepare them by soaking, bring them to a quick boil and then rinse the corks with hot water. After that, finish with a cold-water rinse.
Step 3:
Now after you have prepared the bottles, place one below the wine container.
Step 4:
If you are going to bottle your own wine at a local winery then there will be a siphon that will allow you to pour the wine into the bottle. Holly this is the fun part, suck on the other end of the tube until the wine begins to flow. Then insert the notched end of the siphon tube into your bottle but make sure the tube isn’t touching the very bottom. When you’re bottling your own wine, fill up the bottles to 3/4 inch below the bottom of the cork and after that use your corker to insert the corks into the bottles.
See, all you needed were a few bottle supplies and the skills you already possessed to get the wine inside your chosen container. How cool is that? And there you go; you’re now officially a wino!!
The Amount of Alcohol in Wine
February 29, 2008
I have often wondered about the amount of alcohol in wine. Would you be able to clarify this for me? Thank you. - Christi in Indianapolis, IN
Christi, this is something that actually depends on what kind of wine you are fond of drinking and many other factors combined. I’ll explain. Alcohol in wine is as important an element in the final product as the grape itself. It doesn’t just effect how you feel after drinking it but it also the taste, aroma and also the mouthfeel of a wine and I want to mention that its very important to pay attention to how a wine feels in your mouth, especially for wine virgins.
The alcohol content in wine is measured as a percentage vs. proof, which is how alcohol is measured in hard liquor. In the U.S., if the wine is labeled as a “Table Wine” then it has to have less than 14% alcohol by volume. The law also permits a 1.5% leeway. If a label says 12.5% alcohol by volume, it can actually be as high as 14% or as low as 11%. In the U.S., if a label simply says “Table Wine” then the alcohol content is between 11% and 14%.
For most grapes, after the wine fermentation process has taken place, the amount of alcohol in wine by volume is around 8% on the low end, and 14% on the high end. Today the alcohol in wine can be much higher, especially in hot climates like Australia. And, with new wine growing techniques, and better controls in the winemaking process it is not unusual to see wine over 15% or more in alcohol.
A quick list is provided below about the different varieties and alcohol content in wine.
Table wine: 8 – 14%
Sparkling wine: 8 – 12%
Fortified wine: 17 – 22%
Christi, go ahead and remember this the next time you’re out. You now have the info you need to decide exactly how much fun you are really going to have. Be careful though, you might be surprised at the kick a simple table wine can provide.
Are Sulfites in Wine Dangerous?
February 28, 2008
I’ve heard that sulfites in wine can be potentially dangerous, why would I want to continue drinking wine if this chemical is purposely added in? Anna - Kansas City, KS
Come on, that really can’t be your reason for not tipping back a glass, is it? What is there to do in Kansas City besides drink? I promise that you will not turn into a lush if you have a glass every now and again. So don’t be paranoid, here are the facts on sulfites in wine. Believe it or not all wines contain at least some small amount of sulfites and among other things; they are found on grapes, onions, garlic, and many other common plants and vegetables that make up our diet. No wine can ever be sulfite free, even if they have not been added during the wine fermentation process.
However, wine sulfites are a problem for some drinkers and can lead to serious headaches for those who do have sensitivity to it. For people who do have an allergy, the average level of sulfites in wine can cause heartburns or other side effects. Unpleasant reactions include burning sensations, hives, cramps, and flushing of the skin. For these people, organic wines are an especially good choice since they contain minimal amounts that will in most cases lie below their threshold level.
Makers of wine have been putting additional sulfites in wine for ages. This is because sulfur dioxide (SO2) is used to keep freshly pressed juice from spoiling. The good thing is that modern technology has allowed for the reduction in the amount of sulfur than what was used in the past but some is absolutely necessary to make a stable wine. If you didn’t add sulfites, the wine would turn into vinegar in a matter of months. Not only does sulfur dioxide prevent the growth of bacteria, but it also stops oxidation and helps to preserves the wine’s natural flavor.
Regulations in the United States require that domestic and imported wines carry warning labels if they have sulfites in wine in excess of 10 parts per million. Wines that have less than 10 parts per million are not required to carry the “Contains Sulfites” label but they still contain sulfites in some level.
Truly, sulfites in wine are going to be there regardless, but if you’ve never had an allergic reaction like the ones stated above then you really have nothing to worry about. There are a ton of misconceptions out there about this much slandered drink and this is why I am passionate about delivering the facts to wine virgins so you know exactly what you are pouring down your throat. Now get out to the bar or go pick up a bottle and drink to your health Anna. Cheers!!
Your Recipe for Homemade Wine
February 26, 2008
Hello Wine Virgin, last week I over heard a conversation my co-workers were having about a quick and easy recipe for homemade wine. I was wondering if you had a good answer? - Danielle in Fargo, ND
Isn’t that an interesting question? So basically you were spying on your co-workers and over heard them talking about a subject that brought out the natural lush in you and now you want to know an easy recipe for homemade wine so you can one-up them ehh?
Ok, sure why not? Hey that’s a great quality to have, staying on top of office gossip like that while making sure that you’re always in the know regardless of what you have to do get there.
Now this recipe is really, really simple. Below is everything that you will need to create wine and the exact step by step process to follow.
1.) A gallon of grape juice, red or white grapes are fine.
2.) 1 gallon of water
3.) 3-1/2 Lbs. of cane sugar
4.) 1 packet of wine yeast
5.) A 2.5 gallon food grade plastic bucket
Hey, keep in mind that even bakers yeast will work if you just can’t stand another day without having something unique fermenting in your closet. I would mention that you need to be as careful as you can with making sure that everything you use is sanitized properly… but then again, you did ask about a quick and easy recipe for homemade wine.
Mix the cane sugar with the water and bring it to a boil. Now after the sugar water has cooled down, mix it together with the juice and yeast in a food grade plastic bucket. Cover it with a trash bag, yes dear… a trash bag and make sure that it’s secured with a rubber band. Now, give it a day or two for the wine fermentation process to begin and you will soon notice that the trash bag has become filled with gas.
From here, you will need to siphon, or gently pour your wine mix into another bucket and leave anything that has settled down to the bottom of the bucket behind. Cover the bucket again with a new trash bag and continue siphoning or pouring your wine off into a “clean” bucket every two weeks for a six week wine fermantion process total. By then, most of the solids will have settled and your wine can be bottled. If you can steal a moment from the crazy pace of your Fargo office you will have a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Remember, this recipe to make your wine will produce about 10 bottles, plenty enough to hand them out to your “friends” at work for their enjoyment, or envy… with more than enough left over to satisfy your cravings for an quick pick-me-up throughout the day. Enjoy!!