Editors' note: To close 2011, Palate Press: The online wine magazine will be featuring some of our top stories from the past year. Our first piece comes from the talented Erika Szymanski, who lends her passion and background for wine science to the screwcap/natural cork debate. This is not your
This is not your typical cork versus screw cap article. This is the only time I will use the word “oxygen” in this piece. Search for “cork vs. screw cap” and you’ll find plenty of discussions on reduction-oxidation chemistry, an-read more-
The debate in wine geek circles surrounding the concept of “natural wine” seems to be unending. From the uselessness of the term “natural” to hyperbolic accusations on both sides (chemical agriculture and slaves of Monsanto vs. hippies and producers of-read more-
Two Central Coast vintners walked through a pristine-looking vineyard last fall—it had no cover crop, a usual sign of organic or biodynamic farming—explaining why they use herbicides. "We need to do it to keep our business sustainable," one said. The-read more-
This is part one in a series of posts about wine closures. In this series, we'll explore the relative merits and drawbacks of the many different ways we seal our wine. The pop of a cork is almost as synonymous-read more-
For most wineries, taking steps to be greener takes place in the vineyard, first and foremost, and in the cellar and warehouse next. At Shinn Vineyards, on the North Fork of Long Island, things are also green above the vineyard,-read more-
Wine labels used to be as austere as fine Chablis, and bottles as heavy as one of Babe Ruth’s bats. The aura was highly classical, with labels displaying coats of arms, Renaissance-style lettering, and lines as fine as those inscribed-read more-
As these economic times make clear, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Recycling and reuse have inspired a new wave of eco-chic, injecting sustainability into both the language of everyday life and the palette of the craftsperson. What material-read more-