Product Spotlight: Crusher Destemmer
You’ve got your fresh wine grapes in tow, and now its time to make some wine! If you don’t take advantage of our crush and destem service, you’ll have to crush and destem your grapes. We offer a variety of crushers, and crusher-destemmers to fit any winemaking project. We’ll cover some of our top options to help you determine which one suits you best! The most popular crusher destemmer is the stainless steel electric crusher destemmer. With an electric motor that does all the elbow work featuring an all stainless steel assembly, it is corrosion resistant and will last you for many winemaking seasons to come.
Stainless Steel Electric Crusher Destemmer
This crusher destemmer is motorized, with a stainless steel hopper and body. It has an hourly production rate of 1,500kg (about 3,330lbs). Its electric motor is 100volts/1hp, and it’s dimensions are 100 x 550 x 580h mm. The hopper dimensions are 900 x 460 mm and it has a removable protection box. This piece of equipment is a great investment for a winemaker who has plans to crush and destem an average of 50 or more lugs of grapes. With proper cleaning and storage, this machine will last a winemaking lifetime! We also carry the matching stand for our crusher destemmers, in both painted and stainless steel.
If the stainless steel crusher destemmer is a bit out of your winemaking budget, we carry one nearly identical but that is painted:
Electric Crusher Destemmer with Painted Hopper and Body
All the specs are identical to the stainless steel crusher destemmer except for the fact that this one is painted steel. The downfall of this machine is that it is susceptible to corrosion if not cleaned and stored properly. With proper cleaning and storage, it will surely last you many years. If you’re looking for something in the middle, we have that too!
Electric Crusher Destemmer with Stainless Steel Hopper and Painted Body
If you’re looking for a slightly more budget-friendly crusher destemmer with that boost of corrosion protection, this stainless steel hopper, painted body crusher destemmer is perfect. Once again you’ve got identical specs to our other options above, without having to compromise too much on either advantage of corrosion protection or budget.
If you are a home winemaker with less than 50 lugs of grapes on average and a smaller equipment budget, we also carry manual grape crushers and crusher destemmers. They come in the same options as our electric crusher destemmers including fully stainless steel, fully painted, or stainless steel hopper/painted body.
Stainless Steel Manual Crusher Destemmer
The Grifo hand powered crusher destemmer has a hopper size of 900 x 500 mm, and the Aluminum rollers are 220 mm. The hourly production rate is about 700-800kg (1500-1750lbs) and is a great option for a winemaker processing up to about 50 lugs of grapes and is looking for corrosion protection.
Painted and Stainless/Painted Manual Crusher Destemmer
With the same specs as the stainless steel but more wallet friendly, the painted and stainless manual crusher destemmer is a great option.
With lots of options to choose from, Musto Wine Grape has your winemaking needs taken care of.
Interested in making your own wine? Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help! Musto’s New England’s largest supplier for home winemaking products and services. Visit juicegrape.com or give us a call at (877) 812 – 1137 to learn more.
How to Make Syrah Wine from Chilean Wine Grapes
Chilean Syrah from Colchagua Valley has received high praise from publications like Wine Enthusiast, earning 93+pts. It’s a wine variety that is often overlooked from Chile and is a wine worth making this season. Chilean Syrah boasts flavors of plum, wild berry, and earth aromas. I highly suggest introducing this wine to oak barrels or an oak infusion. The medium acidity and powerful aromas are complemented by the French Oak flavor profile.
Yeast Suggestion: CSM yeast
Oak Suggestion: French oak barrels or chips
Wine Flavor Profile: Bold, medium tannins, blackberry, plum, wild berry, leather, smoke, chocolate, and oak
How to Make Syrah Wine from Chilean Wine Grapes:
- Crush Syrah grapes into a sanitized bin or tub. (Each 18lb crate will make 1.25 gals of finished wine).
- Apply 50ppm of Potassium Metabisulfite and stir well. Allow to sit for 8-12 hours.
- Apply .5ml of Color Pro Pectic enzyme per box diluted into a 10% solution with water to the must and stir. Allow to sit for another 8-12 hours.
- Mix Booster Rouge, FT Rouge, and Opti-Red, with spring water until it is the consistency of pancake batter and pour over top of crushed grapes. Mix in well.
- Add rehydrate CSM yeast (1g/gal) with Go Ferm rehydration nutrient and warm water. Allow to sit for 15 minutes and pour over top of crushed grapes.
- Punch down grapes 3 times per day throughout the duration of fermentation and monitor temperature and Brix levels daily. Use a hydrometer to test sugar content in a strained juice sample. Make sure the temperature does not exceed 85F.
- One day after adding the yeast, add Fermaid O, mixed with spring water into the pancake batter style slurry. Dump into grapes during a punch down.
- After the depletion of 1/3 of the Brix (when the Brix level is between 16-11), add Fermaid O that is mixed with spring water into the pancake batter style slurry. Dump into to grapes at a punch down.
- Add Malo-lactic bacteria the same day as the Fermaid K. If you are using liquid cultures, just pour over the grape must and mix. If you use the dry cultures, rehydrate them in warm spring water according to their specific directions, utilizing any rehydration nutrients recommended.
- When the Brix have dropped below zero, press the wine into a sanitized tank, carboy, or demijohn. Make sure the vessel is topped up all the way to the top of the neck and sealed properly with a bung and airlock.
- Rack after 48 hours and then again in a week. Allow MLF to complete before adding sulfites.
- Allow the wine to age and rack it every 2 months and add sulfites when racking.
- Add oak infusion after 2nd or 3rd racking. Taste test along the way until the oak profile is where you want it to be.
Interested in making your own wine? Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help! Musto’s New England’s largest supplier for home winemaking products and services. Visit juicegrape.com or give us a call at (877) 812 – 1137 to learn more.
Product Spotlight: 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?
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…
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:
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.
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.
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
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?
Gift Certificates…The Perfect Gift!
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…
Best in Show – Commercial: Winemaker Amanda Brackett from Southern Connecticut Wine Company for their “Dark & Dirty Red Blend”
Best in Show Amateur: Eric Albetski & Ed Smith for their 75% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon Blend.
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.
We are still awaiting the Petite Sirah which is currently at 22 Brix. We are thinking it will harvest around 9/23.
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/
Grapes & Juices in Stock as of 9/10/2016:
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
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:
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
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