How to use this blog

Submitted by Clark Smith on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 12:00am

This blog consists of pieces on various wine technology topics. These are sorted into Categories: Postmodern Winemaking, Natural Winemaking, Terroir, Alcohol Adjustment, Social Responsibility, and so forth. The Search function will bring up titles discussing your keyword: sulfites, micro-oxygenation, chips, allergens, fining, and reverse osmosis are rich in content. I also recommend the Postmodern Winemaking Calendar Mandala or the the Postmodern Winemaking Glossary which ties all the concepts of postmodern winemaking together.

Annoying Article About Wine Writing

Submitted by Clark Smith on Sat, 10/16/2010 - 2:43pm

Sooth.com's latest reverse snobbery is bashing the top five annoying wine words, to wit:

1) Unctuous
2) Confident
3) Serious
4) Cacophony
5) The finish lasted X seconds

RIWC agrees to experiment with standards reform

Submitted by Clark Smith on Fri, 04/09/2010 - 9:07am

Don’t Get Fresh With Me

Submitted by Clark Smith on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 12:40am

When I teach, I like to ask for responses from the class, to get them thinking actively. This doesn’t always go so well, but the one query they never have trouble with is “What’s the Prime Directive for white wine?”

“Fresh.” They get it every time.

Yet wine can be and often is too fresh. Even the most flowery, delicate sauvignon blanc needs a little time to emerge. And I defy anyone to show me a rosé that isn’t better in year two than in year one – I include White Zin in this.

Yield to Oncoming Traffic, Grower Dog

Submitted by Clark Smith on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 12:18am

In my consulting work, I see all too often the all-powerful winemaker lording his position over the defenseless grower in order to impress his clueless owner-boss, forcing half the crop to be dropped from perfectly balanced vines and resulting in shitty quality. It's positively feudal!

Don't Call It Durif

Submitted by Clark Smith on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 10:26am

Just returned from a very interesting day at the 7th annual symposium of PS I Love You, featuring a wide variety of interesting speakers including a presentation on the Petite Sirah Heritage Block which is being created as part of the extensive UC Davis Vit and Eno Dept. makeover, which will include eight clones of Petite Sirah, four of its mother Peloursin, and hopefully a clone or two of its father, Syrah.

Interactive Forum at Vino Exchange

Submitted by pmwine on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 12:00am

I am on the hot seat this week for Pamela Heiligenthal’s forum called Vino Exchange at Enobytes.com.

Petite Sirah Unmasked

Submitted by Clark Smith on Wed, 11/12/2008 - 3:14am

I apologize to those of you bored backwards out of your underpants with the previous technical discussion. Lest you imagine I spend all of my time on such technical matters, please check out my recent posts at Appellation America concerning Petite Sirah.

Blending for Quality or Pandering?

Submitted by Clark Smith on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 5:39pm

Appellation Distinctiveness = Market Suicide?

Submitted by Clark Smith on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 10:55am

Postmodern Winemaking

Scoring the Sublime