Help My Wine Making! Episode 4 – Update on Building a Wine Cellar, A Warning About Using Crystal Decanters and Some Viewer Comments on Selling Your Homemade Wine

September 24, 2009 by Scott "The Wine Making Guy"  
Filed under Podcast, Videos

Help My Wine Making Episode #4

Study mentioned in the show:

Lead Crystalware and Your Health (Health Canada study)

See you next week where we’ll be discussing different ways to gussy up your wine bottle that’ll be sure to impress your guests!

Have a great week!

Help My Wine Making – Episode 3 – A Warning About Building a Wine Cellar & 3 Ways To Truly Enjoy Your Wine

August 30, 2009 by Scott "The Wine Making Guy"  
Filed under Podcast, Videos

Help My Wine Making Episode #3

Resources mentioned in the show:

Using Magnets To Instantly Age Your Wine – Fact or Fiction? (blog article I wrote in July)

WineBusiness.com – Wine Magnets: Fact or Fiction

Luigi Bormioli Esperienze 88-Ounce Decanter

Cilio Stainless Decanter Drying Rack

True Fabrications Aerating Wine Funnel

Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator

Eisch Breathable Bordeaux Glass

The Perfect Sommelier

The Wine Clip Magnetic Wine Conditioner in Wood Gift Box

BevWizard Magnetic Wine Aerator, Smoother, Enhancer, Dripless Pourer

See you next week where we’ll be discussing different ways to gussy up your wine bottle that’ll be sure to impress your guests!

Have a great week!


A Quick & Easy Wine Storage Solution

I received an email last week from a gentleman who wanted to know if it would be alright to use a wine bottle box as a wine rack.

I figured why not?

On the way home from the movie on Friday night “The Boss” and I stopped in at one the local wine stores we shop at to pick up some “supplies” for a BBQ we were hosting on Saturday night.

I noticed on the way out that there were some empty boxes lying by the door so I asked the cashier if I could have them. He gave me that kind of look like “Dude – that’s what they’re there for – duh!” but instead said “Sure – no problem”.

I quickly snapped up all four boxes and brought them home. “The Boss” thought I was nuts at first but then quickly agreed it was a good idea once I explained why I grabbed them.

Wine Rack Using A Wine Bottle Box

Empty wine bottle box

After brought them home I  filled a box with 12 bottles of the Napa Valley Stags Leap Merlot we had bottled last week with our friend Mark.

Wine Rack Using A Wine Bottle Box

Add your bottles to the box upright

I then turned the box on its side pulling the lid pieces to the side securing the top lid with a paper clip.

Wine Rack Using A Wine Bottle Box

The turn the box on its side

I then stepped back to have a look at the setup and decided it was good.

It does the job and didn’t cost me a penny!

Here are some suggestions if you decide to go this route:

  • If you buy new wine bottles then keep the case they came in to use for storage.
  • If you’re using recycled wine bottles then you can easily pick empty wine boxes from wherever you buy commercial wine – after all they’re going to be thrown out anyways. Some places have them out in the open, while others just need to be asked.
  • If all you’re going to do is use the boxes as a wine rack then consider using scissors or a box cutter to remove the lid sections.
  • To keep the integrity of the box I’d remove bottles from the top row first then work your way down.
  • I personally wouldn’t stack these on top of each other as you’ll break some bottles in the lower boxes as you remove them to drink your wine.
  • Remember to store your wine in a cool dark place where the temperature is consistent!

If you decide to try this out (or already have) and have some thoughts or comments on it please reply to this email and let me know about them.

Even better, send me some pictures you don’t mind me showing the rest of the group!