The Winemaker Newsroom (formally Homewine Happenings)
Quarterly Winemakers Potluck & Wine Tasting
Saturday, May 10, 2008
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ed & Robin Szubielski Residence
28692 Vista Ladera
Laguna Niguel
We had a good turnout at our last potluck with many good wines
and exceptionally good food. The quarterly potluck and wine tasting events help
to keep our members informed about future events and affords us the opportunity
to discuss current and future winemaking activities.
Bring your favorite appetizer, salad, main dish, dessert, and
a bottle of wine to share. Plates, napkins, and tableware will be furnished. We
will be able to heat up any food if needed.
Ed and Robin Szubielski will be our hosts and you will have a
chance to see Ed’s backyard vineyard and maybe he’ll let you visit his winery
and taste some of his wines.
If you plan on attending, please send your reservation via
e-mail to Jim Graver at winemaster72@earthlink.net so that we can plan
accordingly. The next Quarterly Potluck & Wine Tasting will be in August.
Sulfur Dioxide Wine Testing (SO2) Lab
Saturday, May 10, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ed & Robin Szubielski Residence
28692 Vista Ladera
Laguna Niguel
Our Winemakers Group recently conducted an SO2 Lab for our
members. Why is that important? SO2 or sulfur dioxide has several desirable
attributes when added to wine in very small quantities. It prevents the enzymes
in grapes from causing “browning” and helps protect the wine from excessive
oxidation, reduces the oxidized smell of old wine, and more importantly,
controls the growth of bacteria and yeast.
Two sessions will be held and the first session is to measure
the actual amount of SO2. The following session will be a re-test after
adjustments have been made. It is our goal to conduct the testing every three
months or more often if necessary.
A nominal charge of $3 for each test will be assessed to
defray the cost of materials and maintenance. To have this test performed by an
outside lab would cost about $25 or more, plus shipping. The test does not take
very long so the process is very quick.
If you have wines that you would like to have tested, please
send Jim Graver an email and list the number of wines to be tested. The tests
will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum 50 ml sample of
your wine is required. However, it is suggested that at least a 100 ml sample be
supplied in case the test needs to be repeated.
Russian River Campout / Winery Tours
August 3 – 7, 2008
Cassini Ranch Family Campground
Duncan Mills
Russian River Valley
This is an event that our winemakers participated in last
August and the general consensus was to do this again. Whether you like camping
or the more upscale motel or hotel, you can still be a part of this event. We
plan on camping at the Cassini Ranch Family Campground located right next to the
Russian River set among beautiful hills and just minutes from the Pacific Ocean.
The activities have not been finalized, but we plan on some evening cookouts and
barbecues along with wine tastings and visits to a number of wineries in the
area. Although we plan on being there from August 3 - 7, you can come at any
time and stay as long as you want.
If you plan on staying at the campground, we suggest you call
immediately and make your reservation as many sites have already been booked.
You may go to their website at www.cassiniranch.com or call at 800.451.8400. You
can also find lodging in nearby Healdsburg or Santa Rosa. If you have any
questions, please contact Jerry Guerin at jeromeguerin@earthlink.net or Jim
Graver at winemaster72@earthlink.net. Remember, make your reservations
immediately. You can always cancel later.
Wine Blending Workshop
Fourteen members attending this year’s workshop under the
aegis of Jim Graver, and assisted by Kim Guerin. Each member learned about the
wine blending process and a was afforded the opportunity to try their hand in
making various blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
The members were divided into groups and each group tested their skills to
produce the “master blend” in competition with the other groups. If you were not
there, you missed out on a most informative workshop.
Winemakers Group Email News
If any members are not receiving our special emails or would
like to be put on the email list, please let Jim Graver know so that you name
can be added. Some winemaking activities and events may not always be listed in
the monthly newsletter or sometimes dates and times change. Our email network
will keep you informed and up to date.
OC Fair Homewine Competition Entries
Do you have any wines that you would like to enter into the
competition? Entry forms and competition information is available at the OCWS
office, on our website at ocws.org, or email your request to Jim Graver. Your
deadline for entries is May 24. Get your wines ready.
Homewine Competition Judges
Every year, we look to add new, qualified judges to our
competition roster. These should be persons who have a good knowledge of wine
and have had previous judging experience. These may include those in the wine
industry; commercial winemakers, and amateur winemakers who can not only
evaluate wines, but also can write constructive comments on the wines they are
judging. Generally, new judges are assigned to a panel of judges who have
previous judging experience. If you know of anyone who may possess these
qualifications and would be interested in judging, please send their names to
the OCWS office to the attention of the Judging Chairman and we will send them
an invitation.
Rich McCormick will be our Judging Chairman again this year.
You may contact the OCWS office and leave a message and application will be sent
to you or contact Rich McCormick at 949.497.2982 or email to rdmccormick@cox.net.
Rich also has an OCWS email which you can access on the OCWS web page, under the
Board of Directors.
Orange County Homewine Competition
Saturday, June 14
The Courtyard
OC Fair & Events Center
Stewards Needed – No Experience Necessary
Good Food, Good Fun,
Good Wines, & Good Company
The OCWS, in conjunction with the Orange County Fair, sponsors
one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in California devoted
to amateur wine making that is highly recognized throughout the state. Last
year, we had 734 entries—our highest number of entries ever. Besides the
competition staff and judges, stewards are needed to assist with a variety of
tasks, all coming together to make this competition as successful as our
commercial competition.
Stewards are provided a continental breakfast in the morning
and lunch in the afternoon. After lunch, you are invited to taste the
award-winning wines and talk with the judges and winemakers.
We would be pleased to have you join us and assist us with
this event. Please fax or mail the sign-up sheet as soon as possible. For more
information, contact: Michael or Janet Salas at 949.722.9908 or email janet@msalas.com.
For the Winemaker Group ,
Jim Graver
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