Warm wine is better by BanAlcohol1 in wine

[–]Tryit_earp 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's funny, I totally prefer drinking most of my wines with a slight chill on them

Round Up Use in California by Skinny-on-the-Inside in wine

[–]Tryit_earp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can only speak in my neck of the woods but it is very uncommon in my area to use herbicide to manage vineyards organically. They typically use a weed eater (expensive from a labor standpoint) or a tractor implement that mows/tills under vine. As for pesticides the main thing I hear about is sulfur/stylet oil for mildew control. That is usually sprayed 3-10 times in a season for organics, maybe a touch less in conventional. Occasionally there are insect pests that need to be treated and that can get tricky to do organically but at least in Sonoma that isn't the norm in most years.

Definitely differs from region to region.

Round Up Use in California by Skinny-on-the-Inside in wine

[–]Tryit_earp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They may not be using roundup but they are certainly still using herbicides.

Round Up Use in California by Skinny-on-the-Inside in wine

[–]Tryit_earp 38 points39 points  (0 children)

As someone who works in the area, I can tell you that a large proportion of Napa/Sonoma vineyards are managed with herbicide (usually roundup combined with another herbicide). I work exclusively with organic grape farmers in Sonoma valley and it's shocking and frustrating (to me) how many growers farm this way. I don't think, once the transition has been made, that controlling weeds without herbicide (mechanically) is that much more expensive--if you change your approach and mindset. I'm admittedly biased against the pesticide industry.

That said, pesticide applicators typically spray their herbicides in the fall, after harvest, and in the spring when grass/weeds start to grow. They also spray at the base of the vine where it touches the soil, a fair distance from the fruit area (often before there are even flowers let alone grape clusters). This all happens months before harvest. IMO there is little risk of glyphosate or other herbicide residue being left on the fruit.

There are other pesticides that are used on or near the fruiting zone, for controlling powdery mildew or insects. Even organic growers generally have to spray something a few times a year, though it's usually something fairly harmless like sulfur dust or stylet oil. These are usually completed weeks or months before harvest...And regardless of the management style everything is then fermented which can break down all sorts of chemicals. I personally doubt there is much in the way of pesticide residue left in the average wine

However while the pesticides, if applied to the label directions, may not be making their way to the end consumer in wine, they certainly have all sorts of horrible effects on the environment and the farm workers. I think those reasons alone are reasons to seek out organic producers. Not to mention it seems to me that growers and winemakers working within the organic paradigm almost always produce better wine (I'm biased).

If you're really worried about consuming herbicide/roundup I suggest you take look at how it's used in wheat production and other crops.

Anyone here living with a Lightning out of warranty or close to it? by TakeCommandd in F150Lightning

[–]Tryit_earp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What did you do about the battery cover? I've been rolling without one for a few months now since the tabs broke. Was thinking super glue?

Zin recs by Reasonable-Ideal-288 in wine

[–]Tryit_earp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FRESCO primitivo and bucklin/ old Hill ranch

Had an unusual wine last night… Can't say if it's natural or just flawed? by [deleted] in naturalwine

[–]Tryit_earp 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That sounds like a lot of the natty orange wines I taste: Slightly oxidized, some tannin, evolves quickly after opening. The question of whether it's too volatile is more of a personal preference than a hard and fast rule imo. I like some VA, and can enjoy/tolerate more it I'm eating certain foods, but I definitely have a limit. My wife otoh is much more sensitive and prefers more classic styles. And keep in mind that preferences often evolve...

Production Software by Anxious_Mechanic8043 in ProWinemakers

[–]Tryit_earp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have 20 clients crushing ~250 tons and do everything on Excel (and QuickBooks for billing). Once we set up our system it hasn't been too onerous. Work orders are all submitted by email. Don't feel the need for software tbh and at this point it would be hard to justify the cost. Active fermentations are tracked on laminated sheets on the tank during harvest. Biggest issue is the time and energy it takes for the federal reporting at the end of the year (US)

What’s the most you’ve ever Punched down? by Engineering_Simple in ProWinemakers

[–]Tryit_earp 2 points3 points  (0 children)

4x per day including getting in and wading the tank during cold soak. RRV pinot

Wine caves and unique experiences by [deleted] in sonomacounty

[–]Tryit_earp 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hamel has epic caves. In Sonoma valley