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Product Spotlight: CSM Yeast

csm yeast

Product Spotlight: CSM Yeast

CSM yeast was derived from Bordeaux and helps create a vibrant aromatic profile. CSM aids in adding complexity to the palate and pairs well with malolactic fermentation.

Why you want to use it:

It’s the perfect yeast for the Chilean fruit. It reduces vegetal aromas, adds complexity, stabilizes color, and helps increase the aromatic profiles of berries and spices.

Use Tips:

Fermentation starts quickly with this yeast. Be prepared to see Brix drop 24 hours after inoculation. It can stand up 14% ABV and can handle temperatures from 59–90°F. However, I highly suggest keeping your fermentation temps lower than 75°F. Once you hit 80°F you lose aromas and “burn off” flavors. Keeping your wine between 59–75°F during fermentation is a best practice.

You also want to use nutrients when using CSM; nutrients such as Fermaid-O and Fermaid-K. CSM tends to produce H2S (rotten egg smell) if there aren’t enough nutrients during fermentation.

Avoid cold shocking the yeast at inoculation. You’ll want to get the must and the yeast starter within a few degrees of each other before pitching the yeast starter. But without temperatures falling lower than 55°F. Temps below 55°F could stall fermentation and/or kill the yeast.

Goes best with:

CSM was cultivated to help ferment Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot. However, we have seen it used on Carmenere, Malbec, and Syrah from Chile with great results.

Dosage:

6gm/gals

Flavor Profile:

Cherry pit, raspberry, blackberry, spice, violet, bark, and sweet pepper

 

Ready to make wine? Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help you make the wine of your dreams! The Spring South African & Chilean winemaking season starts soon! Secure your winemaking grapes or juices and give us a call at (877) 812-1137 to speak with one of our Musto Crush Crew members. We can get you set up with everything you need and provide customer support along the way to ensure your success!

The Winemaker’s Think Tank: Vol 9 – How long will my wine last?

Wine expert testing wine silhouette image

What’s the Winemaker’s Think Tank?

Every Thursday we will post about a few frequently asked questions that our winemaker has answered. If you have a winemaking question you would like to have answered, please email us at support@juicegrape.com and we will try to get into next week’s post. Cheers! 🙂

How long will my wine last?

All wine ages differently. Certain varietals benefit from aging, others are meant to be consumed quickly. Generally, the more tannic the wine, more it will benefit from aging. Other factors influence a wine’s potential to age as well. If the winemaker chooses not to add sulfites to the wine (not recommended), the wine will not age as well and should be consumed within a year. If the proper level of sulfites are added, the wine stored at an appropriate temperature (55-62 degrees Farenheit), and not exposed to light, it should be able to age for many years. Some varietals that benefit from aging are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. Some varietals that do not necessarily benefit from aging are Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cayuga.

We hope this information helps with your winemaking. If you have any follow up questions or winemaking questions in general, please email us at support@juicegrape.com.

Are you considering buying a gift? Let us help…

Are you considering buying a gift? Let us help…

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Musto Wine Grape Company, LLC. has gifts for those starting out in winemaking, those who are experienced winemakers, or those who simply love wine or have a special winemaker in their lives.

So, what sort of person are you buying for?

Is this person interested in making wine for the first time or relatively new to winemaking?

Those interested in making wine may want to start out with some of the following:

basic-equipment-kit

A Winemaking Equipment Kit

Winemaking Equipment kits come with many of the basic and reusable items that are essential for making a basic batch of wine.  Kits can be purchased pre-packaged or you can work with a Musto sales rep to enhance the kit items.

A Winemaking Ingredient Kit

Winemaking Ingredient Kits exist for every budget and contain the ingredients needed to ferment and finish wine for bottling and enjoyment.  There are kits available for all tastes.

Basic Lab/Analysis Equipment

While there are many different pieces of equipment that can be purchased for winemaking, few are as essential to crafting consistently good wine as are these items…

Hydrometer
Acid Tiration Kits (we recommend our own Pro Acid Kit!)
pH meters

Professional Books on Winemaking

A Professional Winemaker Led Class At Musto Wine Grape Company, LLC at our Hartford, CT location.

Perhaps the person you are buying for falls into the “Experienced Winemaker” category?

Hydrometer used to measure the specific gravity of wine and beer

Hydrometer used to measure the specific gravity of wine and beer

An experienced winemaker may have been making wine for a period of time and should now have the basic equipment and supplies.  This sort of winemaker is generally looking for items to expand his or her cellar or for items that offer greater efficiency.  To the observer, an experience winemaker might also be one who consistently produces wines that beg you to have another glass.

If your winemaker is an “Experienced Winemaker” he or she may already have those items mentioned for the those who might just be getting started in winemaking. For those who do, you may want to consider some of the following items, big and small.

New Wine Barrels
Stainless Steel Variable Capacity Tanks
Chemical Analysis Meters
Wine Bottles

OR…Maybe the person you are buying for simply loves wine and/or a special winemaker?

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Check out our great selection of Merchandise including cool wine themed products for indoors, outdoors. We also have a large selection of stylish jewelry and apparel.

Gift Certificates…The Perfect Gift!

gift-certificate

There may be no better gift option than the gift certificate.  It allows the recipient to apply the value of the certificate to any item that they wish to purchase and at a time they are ready to do so.  Our gift certificates come with a gift certificate holder and may be used for either online or in-store purchases.  Click here to purchase a gift certificate in a convenient denomination.

 

Also, we are constantly running New and Special Deals on All of Our Products –> Check out our Shopping Page for more Information and Coupons!

 

Who Won Best in Show?

Thank you to everyone who entered Musto Wine Grape Company’s Wine Competition. We cannot wait for the Competition Dinner to give you all of the results! Dates for the dinner are coming soon….

You will be receiving an email this week with your medal results. All medals and feedback will be given out at the dinner.

And now for Best in Show…

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Best in Show – Commercial: Winemaker Amanda Brackett from Southern Connecticut Wine Company for their “Dark & Dirty Red Blend”

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Best in Show Amateur: Eric Albetski & Ed Smith for their 75% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon Blend.

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Congratulations to all the Winemakers who submitted their entries. We can’t wait to see you at the dinner and celebrate your wines!

Paso Robles Merlot Harvest

Good Morning from Paso Robles Winemakers!

Our crew is working very hard to bring you some of the finest wine grapes Paso Robles has to offer.  Yesterday and Today we are harvesting Merlot and Syrah. They are being picked around 24-26 Brix. They should be arriving in Hartford, CT around 9/23/2016.

merlot-vineyard merlot-grapes

We are still awaiting the Petite Sirah which is currently at 22 Brix. We are thinking it will harvest around 9/23.

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Make sure to place your orders!

These are fantastic grapes for making Award Winning Wines!

-PS-

Drop Off You Wine Competition Entities at Pick Up!  http://www.juicegrape.com/community/wine_classic/

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Grapes & Juices in Stock as of 9/10/2016:

 

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Grapes & Juices in Stock as of 9/9/2016:

JUICES:

Sangiovese
Mixed Black
Pinot Noir
Alicante
Ruby Cabernet
Toscano (Chianti)
Chardonnay
French Colombard
Regina Muscat
Chablis
Sauvignon Blanc
White Zinfandel
Muscat
Malvasia Bianca
Syrah
Cabernet Franc
Pinot Grigio
Merlot
Barbera
Zinfandel
Cabernet Sauvignon
Old Vine Zinfandel
Thompson Seedless
Grenache
Riesling
Regina Zinfandel
Regina Barbera
Regina Merlot
Regina Thompson Seedless
Regina Grenache
Regina Cabernet Sauvignon

Grapes:

Variety Label 36/42lb
Chardonnay Costamagna 36lb
Pinot Noir Lodi Gold 36lb
Grenache Lodi Gold 36lb
Barbera Valley Beauty 36lb
Mixed Black Uva di Cali 36lb
Merlot Lucerene 36lb
Cabernet Sauvignon Cry Baby 36lb
Zinfandel Valley Beauty 36lb
Thompson Seedless Miss Seedless 42lb
Zinfandel Valley Beauty 36lb
Zinfandel Zinderella 36lb
Cabernet Sauvignon Costamagna 36lb
Merlot Lodi Gold 36lb
Barbera Valley Beauty 36lb
Cabernet Sav Pia 36lb
Sangiovese Regina 36lb
Zinfandel Lucerene 36lb
French Colombard Cry Baby 36lb
OVZ Lugano 36lb
Zinfandel Teaser 36lb
Alicante Cal Special 42lb
Barbera Cal Special 36lb
Muscat Muscat King 42lb
Alicante O’Capro 42lb
Syrah Cry Baby 36lb
Alicante Cry Baby 42lb
Grenache Cry Baby 36lb
Black Muscat Lodi Gold 36lb
Petite Verdot Musto 36lb
Sangiovese Pia 36lb
Grenache Pia 36lb
Cabernet Sauvignon Pia 36lb
Sauvignon Blanc – SOLD OUT Lanza 36lb
Pinot Noir Musto 36lb
Thompson Seedless Treasure 42lb
Zinfandel Valley Beauty 36lb
Old Vine Barbera Lugano 36lb
Zinfandel Valley Beauty 36lb
Barbera Cry Baby 36lb
Thompson Seedless Cry Baby 42lb
Merlot Lucerene 36lb
Petite Sirah Pia 36lb
Grenache Regina 36lb
Ruby Cabernet Caterina 36lb
Cabernet Franc Cry Baby 36lb
Sangiovese Caterina 36lb
Symphony (white grape) Cry Baby 36lb
OVZ Caterina 36lb
Alicante Cal Special 42lb
Zinfandel Pia 36lb
Cabernet Sauvignon Caterina 36lb
Old Vine Carignane Caterina 36lb
Gamay Pia 36lb
Zinfandel Pia 36lb
Barbera Pia 36lb
Cabernet Sauvignon Regina 36lb
Barbera Cal Special 36lb
Merlot Lanza 36lb
Primitvo Lanza 36lb
Zinfandel Lanza 36lb

Washington Merlot Harvest

vineyard image with good sunlight

grapes on vine image

 

Extra, extra, read all about it – we will have Washington Wine Grapes This Year!

Specifically Own-Rooted Merlot from the Rattlesnakes Hills in Yakima Valley.

About the Soil:

The surface layers of vineyard soils are based primarily in loess, which is mostly wind-deposited silt and fine sand derived from the sediments of the ‘Missoula’ ice age floods. The content of the soils consists of a mixture of minerals derived from both the local basalt bedrock and the granite and limestone of northern Idaho and Montana.

Most of the soils are classified as silt loams (mostly Harwood-Burke, but also Weihl and Scoon), which are low in clay. The low clay content creates well-drained soils, encouraging the vines to root more deeply, a factor generally associated with high quality grapes and wines. It also creates an inhospitable environment for phylloxera, an aphid-like pest that feeds on the roots of grapevines. Due in large part to the clay-poor soils, the Yakima Valley is one of the few places on earth where European wine grapes (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir) can still be grown on their own roots, also a factor generally associated with high quality.

The shallow soil profile contains large chunks of calcium-caked gravel and calcium carbonate horizons called “Caliche”. In most areas, the caliche forms a conspicuous white layer under the topsoil that adds mineral complexity. The deep roots of the vines penetrate through the surface layer of loess, which averages 18 inches in thickness throughout most of the vineyard, and into the underlying calcium-rich substrate. This gravelly, high pH substrate forces the vines to struggle, an additional factor associated with high quality grapes and wine.

About Being Own-Rooted:

An Own-Rooted vine is a vine that has no rootstock. This is not common in most wine regions around the world. The rootstock & vine grafting was necessary at one point to protect from specific diseases such as Phylloxera. The Washington soil type is made up of a fine silt loam which Phylloxera hates – this is why they can plant Own-Rooted vines.

It is said that there are differences in the wines from Own-Rooted vs. Rootstock Grafted Vines. There is much debate around this issue. It looks like you will have to be the judge! 

About the Merlot:

The Merlot Clone coming from this vineyard has clusters that are small to medium in size. The berries are small and round. This clone produces a high vigor vine that creates a dense canopy. Yield is usually around 3-5 ton acre depending on the growing season.

The clone produces a soft, full-bodied, fruity wine full of many different complexities. A great Merlot that can stand alone and age – or be added to a blend to give the wine that extra punch of structure.

Harvest Update: 8/25/2016

ARRIVING to Hartford, CT Early Next Week:

harvest calendar

8/29/2016:

LODI

  • Costamagna Chardonnay
  • Lodi Gold Grenache
  • Valley Beauty Barbera
  • Smiling Baby Merlot
  • Valley Beauty Zinfandel

9/1/2016:

LANZA – Suisun Valley

  • Sauvignon Blanc

CENTRAL VALLEY

  • Cry Baby Muscat (42lb)
  • Muscat King (42lb)
  • Cry Baby Thompson Seedless (42lb)
  • Lugano Old Vine Zinfandel
  • Lucerne Old Vine Zinfandel

JUICES from LODI

  • A Mix of Varieties

 

 

Call 877.812.1137 or email sales@juicegrape.com for more information

Zinderella – 88 Points in Wine Enthusiast!

 

matt from delta

Congratulations to our Lodi Growers on earning 88 Points in Wine Enthusiast for their  Old Vine Zinfandel Wine – Zinderella.

Zinderella, an Old Vine Zinfandel – Inspired by perseverance and invigorated by a willingness to never give up on a dream, Zinderella embodies so much more than just wine. From the heart of the esteemed Lodi Appellation, a land recognized as the Zinfandel Capitol of the World; only select Zinfandel grapes that have withstood the test of time have been chosen. With deep, rich Zin flavors, each bottle of Zinderella is an inspiration to follow our dreams and create memories. This is our Zinderella Story” – via Zinderella “The Perfect Fit”

Cheers to Lodi Wine & Lodi Grapes. Make sure to put your order in for Zinderella Old Vine Zinfandel Grapes for this Fall.

Mini Harvest Report

It looks like Mother Nature is excited to get her winemaking on because the grapes are ripening early and fast! Download our E-Book for the ENTIRE list of wine grapes and juices we will be bringing in this fall HERE –> MWG_2016 Harvest Menu E-Book

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Mini Harvest Report:

Central Valley & Lodi: Brix are in the high teens. We are expecting to have grapes in Hartford, CT as early as September 7th.

Suisun Valley, Paso Robles, Contra Costa, Amador, Sonoma, and Napa: The whites will be harvest on September 1st and should be to Hartford, CT on September 7th. The red grapes are maturing well. The Brix are creeping up there. We think that we are still on track for a September 15th harvest date, with the grapes arriving in Hartford, CT as early as September 20th.

Juices: California juices will start arriving on September 7th. We hope to see the Italian juices sometime in the first week of October.

Prices: The grape and juice prices will be available by August 16th. Please give us a call at the office to secure your order.

We look forward to working with you this fall. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at 877.812.1137 or sales@juicegrape.com