About Us
As a privately-owned, family-run business, Musto Wine Grape Company is driven by a shared passion for wine and the art of winemaking. We cater to every segment of the market, offering a comprehensive range of wine grape products, equipment, supplies, education, and logistics.
We have a *LONG* history of providing premium wine grapes and juices to Connecticut and locations across the region. Since 2009, we have expanded our reach to service home winemakers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, and homebrew shops. With locations on both the East Coast and West Coast, we offer sourcing and logistics of grapes, juice, and winemaking products to clientele across the U.S.
We are proud to offer the latest selection of premium grapes sourced from some of the most prestigious growing regions in California. Our relationships with esteemed growers, including the Lanza family, allow us to provide top-tier grapes from Suisun Valley—recently named one of the top 5 wine regions in the U.S. This collaboration highlights our commitment to bringing you the highest quality products, ensuring that your winemaking process starts with the best raw materials available.
When you partner with us, you’ll immediately notice our commitment to exceptional customer service and top-quality products delivered with full transparency. We know that our success is directly tied to helping you achieve your goals and supporting your growth. We also understand that you have options, which is why we strive to be a trusted partner in your success, regardless of whether you’re running a commercial operation or crafting a small batch at home.
Like you, we’re deeply passionate about winemaking. Our team here is eager to collaborate with you, no matter the size of your project.
If you have any questions or inquiries, please email us at sales@juicegrape.com. We look forward to working with you!
“How do I know if my Malolactic Fermentation is complete?”
One of the biggest questions we get from winemakers in the wintertime is:
“How do I know if my Malolactic Fermentation is complete?”
There are several ways to check if MLF (aka Malo) has finished in your wines. Here’s your guide to cracking the case:
The Paper Chromatography Mystery
What’s happening: You’re playing chemist, spotting malic acid on the paper like a pro.
How to do it:
- Grab a chromatography kit (your detective tools).
- Drop a little wine onto special paper, alongside controls for malic, lactic, and tartaric acids.
- Let the solvent (your magical reveal potion) do its thing for 24 hours.
Look for clues: If the malic acid spot has vanished, your wine’s MLF journey is complete!
Why it’s fun: It’s like wine CSI! Who doesn’t love some science with their sip?
The pH & TA Detective Work
What’s happening: Malolactic fermentation is altering the wine’s balance.
How to do it:
- Monitor the pH and titratable acidity (TA).
- A slight rise in pH and a drop in TA could mean malolactic microbes are working their magic.
Why it’s fun: You’re charting your wine’s story as it evolves—geeky, but deeply satisfying.
Side Note: This is a great tool to pair with the chromatography test or to help decide when to send your wine out for MLF testing. It’s always better to have a concrete answer that Malo has finished—otherwise, you could end up with bottles popping their corks come June!
Enzymatic Testing: The Smart Tech Sleuth
What’s happening: You’re going high-tech, directly measuring how much malic acid is left.
How to do it:
- Use a malic acid test kit and follow the instructions. The test will tell you quantitatively how much malic acid is still hanging around.
Why it’s fun: Precision tools make you feel like a winemaking scientist extraordinaire.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend the Sentia Unit or Vinmetrica Units for these types of tests.
Lab Work: The Professional Investigator
What’s happening: You hand off the mystery to the experts.
How to do it:
- Send a wine sample to a professional lab to get the full malic acid report.
- MWG offers Malo Testing for just $10.00 per test!
Why it’s fun: It’s like getting a report card for your wine—but hopefully, it’s all good news!
Taste Test: The Flavor Detective
What’s happening: Your palate is the tool here!
How to do it:
- Taste your wine and pay attention to the acidity. If it’s gone from tart to creamy, your malic acid may have transformed into silky lactic goodness.
Why it’s fun: You get to taste-test your wine a lot. It’s the tastiest part of winemaking!
Pro Tip: Cover Your Bases
Even if you’re convinced MLF is done, it’s a good idea to confirm with chromatography or a malic acid test. No one wants a surprise fermentation later!
Would you like help picking your detective method?
Call Musto Wine Grape at 877-812-1137 with any questions. And don’t forget to check out videos at www.WinemakingInstructions.com for more in-depth winemaking tips!
MORE Malo Articles to Explore:
A Guide to Malolactic Fermentation
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