March 18, 2008
Spring wine workshop overflowing with acidic information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - An interactive workshop for commercial winemakers and grape growers that focuses on acidity management in wine will be held (Wednesday) March 19 at Oliver Winery in Bloomington, Ind.The workshop is sponsored by the Purdue Wine Grape Team, Purdue Extension and Oliver Winery.
"Acidity management in wine starts at the vineyard and continues through the winemaking process," said Jill Blume, Purdue University Extension enology specialist. "Acidity perception has to do with taste or how balanced a wine is in your mouth.
"Each participant will have the opportunity to participate in a sensory evaluation. During the sensory evaluation, we'll taste wines ranging from tart to flabby and compare them."
Participants also will observe a demonstration on balanced pruning, which is another way to manage acidity, Blume said.
Interested individuals can pre-register by contacting Blume at (765) 494-1749 or blume@purdue.edu. Pre-registration is required. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with pastries and juice. Registration is $40 per person and is payable upon arrival. It includes a full day of learning, breakfast and lunch.
Participants are asked to bring a bottle of their own wine for the sensory evaluation.
The schedule is:
* 9:30 a.m.—Tour and meet the Oliver Winery proprietors, Bill and Kathleen Oliver.
* 10:30 a.m.—How to dream big, Jeanette Merritt, Purdue wine and grape marketing specialist.
* 11:30 a.m.—pH, potassium and acidity, Christian Butzke, Purdue professor of enology.
* 12:30 p.m.—Lunch, a pairing of food and wine.
* 1 p.m.—Bring your own wine, Jill Blume, Purdue Extension enology specialist.
* 2 p.m.—Acidity in the vineyard, Bruce Bordelon, Purdue professor of viticulture.
* 3 p.m.—Pruning at Creekbend, Bernie Parker, Oliver Winery vineyard manager.
* 5:30 p.m.—Workshop adjourns.
More information about the workshop is available at https://www.foodsci.purdue.edu/research/labs/enology/. Oliver Winery is located in Bloomington, Ind. at 8024 N. St. Rd 37. Information about Oliver Winery can be found online at www.oliverwinery.com.
For questions and more information, contact Blume at (765) 494-1749 or blume@purdue.edu.
Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu
Sources: Jill Blume, (765) 494-1749, blume@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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