Summary: Join winemaker Olivier Humbrecht MW, of famed estate Zind Humbrechtin Alsace, for a deep dive into these key components of winemaking: yeast and fermentation!  Presenter: Olivier Humbrecht, MW Olivier Humbrecht studied wine together with wine marketing and wine business for five years in Toulouse, and then got the chance to do his ‘military service’ working for

A BIT OF WINE CHEMISTRY: Lessons from Champagne Day one of the Champagne study trip initiated a discussion which continued throughout the week of factors impacting aromas and flavors in champagne. Broadly, aromas can be categorized into the impacts of grape variety, terroir, vinification, and post-production events (influencing individual bottles versus entire “batches”). This article will focus upon the biochemistry of sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and sugars in an acidic environment (esters arising from acidification of alcohol); the intent is not intended to be comprehensive. For purposes of this essay, the use of the word aroma will include the complex notes of aging characterized as “bouquet.” “Although many efforts have been made to characterize the quality and flavor of the compounds in wine… tasting remains the single universal test used… This is because the taste of a molecule, or blend of molecules, is constructed within the brain of a taster.” F. Brochet and D. Dubourdieu, 2001

Summary:  Every wine lover knows that basic, yet critical, equation: Yeast + Sugar = Alcohol (Ethanol) + CO2. Without the Saccharomyces cerevisiaefungi, we’d only have fruit juice. Within this species, hundreds of strains exist. Some evolve naturally; laboratories select and breed others. Different yeasts produce many different results, from how quickly a vessel ferments to the final wine’s flavor expression. Take

Summary:  Genetically modified organisms are creating a frenzy amongst their potential users and consumers. Europe has outlawed their use, but the USA, Canada and South Africa are open to them. Whether you camp with the “pros” or “cons”, join this webinar to learn how GM vines and yeasts are formed and tested and to listen to the arguments of both sides. You just might change camps…in either direction!