Rusty Mutt is winding down. Discover my new label, Vin Sōl.
What actually goes into wine? – part 1
Introduction to Wine Components.
Wine is quite a unique product, in that there is no typical "ingredients" list on the label. In my op...
Food for thought
How to really enhance your wine enjoyment with decanting and aerating
This is one question I'm often asked, and the answer is not that simple. To begin with, there are actually two different processes that...
A look at vintage 2023 and the past
Vintage 2023 overview
Grape ripening
The great thing about making wine is that every year is different. No two wines from the same gr...
Why is wine stored in oak barrels?
Wine has been enjoyed for thousands of years, and its production has evolved with the passage of time. One of the most important develo...
The Rat and the Wren
The Rusty Mutt wine names are based on the Chinese astrological sign of members of my family. I'm born the Year of the Dog (Rusty Mutt)...
Why Viognier is the white wine that will surprise and delight.
The surprising origins of Viognier
Over many centuries grape vines have grown and spread around the world; where some varieties have c...
The little known reasons wine professionals get excited about acidity.
Where does wine acid come from?
Acid occurs naturally in wine and comes from the grapes. Like any other sweet fruit we eat, it must go...
How tannin adds enjoyment, elegance and life to your wine.
What is tannin?
Tannin is the name given to a range of complex molecules found in wine that don't have a smell or taste, but affect th...
Mature wine. Why do enthusiasts go absolutely nuts over it?
As with everything to do with wine, there's never a straight answer. Most people have heard somewhere that 'wine improves with age' but...