Wine, beer, cider and spirits

Winemaking basics: Can you trust your pH meter?

For winemakers, a pH meter is an indispensable tool. Accurate measurements of acidity are essential to winemaking and help prevent spoilage. But how do you know if a pH meter is accurate? Testing and regular maintenance.

James Osborne | Mar 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Preparing for harvest: Grape chemistry and prefermentation adjustments

When harvest nears, measuring grape chemistry like pH, acidity and sugar helps guide prefermentation decisions. This ensures better control over fermentation and final wine quality.

James Osborne | Aug 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Dealing with damaged fruit in the winery

For wineries, grapes that have been damaged, usually by ill-timed rainstorms, pose challenges. Fruit fly larvae are often the most visible result but the bigger danger are microorganisms that can ruin the fruit.

James Osborne | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Yeast nutrients and 'stuck fermentations'

Fermentation doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes, a warm growing season can stall the process of turning grapes into wine. Here's what winemakers need to know to guard against "stuck fermentation," and a guide to the steps you can take to restart a slow or sluggish fermentation.

James Osborne | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)