Gold Medal Wine Club Blog
If raisins are dried grapes, are any wines made from raisins?
The answer is: Yes. The grapes can either be left to raisin on the vine or dried after harvest. The evaporation of water from ...
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When was California’s first vineyard planted?
In 1769, Fr. Junipero Serra planted California’s first vineyard at the Mission San Diego de Alcala. The grapes were ...
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When was wine first discovered?
Wine was discovered about 6,000 years ago in either Mesopotamia, Palestine/Israel, or what is now called ...
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Who is responsible for introducing the 100 point wine rating scale?
Most novice, enthusiast, and wine aficionados are familiar with the standard 100-point scale used today to rate the ...
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How many sub appellations currently exist within Napa Valley?
Within the Napa Valley, regions have emerged that possess distinct microclimates and terrains, promoting distinct and recognizable characteristics on ...
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What is 'cold maceration'?
Cold maceration is the process of putting the grapes in a refrigerated environment for several days before starting ...
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What properties of grapes make them so suited to wine production in comparison to other fruits?
While a wine-like beverage can be made using virtually any fruit, the grape is particularly suited for two main reasons. One is ...
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What is Pinotage?
Pinotage is a red grape varietal that was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of ...
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What is a 'cépage'?
A cépage is a French term that describes wines made primarily from a single grape variety. In the case of ...
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What does the term 'zymotechnology' refer to?
Zymotechnology is the study of yeast fermentation. For those of you who are interested, yeast is a single-celled agent vital to ...
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What is a Blanc de Noir?
Blanc de Noir is a French term that translates to “white wine from red grapes.” It is most often describes ...
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What is the requirement when naming a wine’s appellation on a wine label?
To name a wine’s appellation on the label, such as ‘Napa Valley’ or ‘Sonoma Coast,’ at least 85% of the grapes must come from ...
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