Peter Alig's Page

Given January's unseasonably warm and dry weather, grapevine pruning was able to begin much earlier than in past years.

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A major replanting project is underway in Robert Mondavi Winery’s historic To Kalon Vineyard. A 31-acre plot known as H-Block, last planted in 1989 to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, will be replanted in 2009 solely to Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Robert Mondavi Winery's To Kalon fermentation cellar is once again a hub of activity as Harvest 2008 gets underway, giving employees and guests alike the chance to witness popular winemaking techniques. Typically the first grape to enter is select Pinot Noir from Carneros.

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Technically speaking, not all screwcaps are created equal. The most popular screwcaps are lined with metal, usually tin or aluminum. These linings keep the wine bottles 99.99 percent free from oxygen ingress. Other screwcaps have a polyethylene lining (often called a saranex lining) which allows some oxygen to penetrate the bottle. The latter closure more closely simulates the natural cork, which has been demonstrated to allow some air inside the bottle, a contributing factor in the wine’s evolu… Continue

For many wine drinkers, casual or serious, good wines must have corks. Such drinkers enjoy the pageantry of inserting the corkscrew, gently lifting the cork, and hearing the pop. They presume that this process “civilizes” the enjoyment of wine and confirms the quality of the drink they are about to pour. Thus, any other bottle closure, such as a screwcap, is anathema.

For American wine drinkers, this mindset has roots in history. America essentially lost its status as a fine wine nation after P… Continue