Happenings at TWC
Corks versus Screwcaps – Does it Matter?
This update of a 2015 Carl’s Corner was prompted by a recent article by Dave Green in WineMaker Magazine, Virtual Edition, For nearly two centuries, cork has been the preferred closure for wine bottles. Cork is a natural product cut from the bark of a cork oak tree that is flexible and only a tiny bit porous. By properly shaping a cork to fit snugly inside the neck of a wine bottle, one can produce a very sturdy, long-lived stopper that is almost impervious to air intrusion. So, what is wrong with having cork closures for wine bottles, and why have screwcaps become more common and more popular? Continue »
Sep 30, 2020 at 9:57 AM
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Caution! Fun Times Ahead!
I still use a paper planner. I’ve tried using the calendar tool on my laptop and an app on my phone, but being able to flip through the pages of my planner appeals to me. I’ve kept my planners over the years and enjoy looking back through them to find notes that I jotted in them and contact information for people I met along the way. My planners are my diaries, marking how I’ve spent my time and tracking my work days and social life. Continue »
Sep 23, 2020 at 11:03 AM
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Maceration in Winemaking
I recently enjoyed an article by Bob Peak posted in WineMaker Magazine, Virtual Edition (Sep-2020) entitled Maceration Tips and Techniques. Maceration is a term often tossed out when discussing the wine making process. It is critically important in producing red wines since most red grapes, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo, have colorless pulp (the juicy inside part of the grape) and red-black skins. Maceration is the technical term for soaking grape skins in grape juice, a necessary step in order to extract color (plus flavors and tannins) from those dark skins into the juice from the pulp to ultimately make a red wine. Continue »
Sep 16, 2020 at 1:20 PM
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Virtual Club Wine Tasting - September Sweets!
Caroline and Bobbi taste and discuss the new sweet wines for September Club! Continue »
Sep 14, 2020 at 9:20 AM
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Virtual Club Wine Tasting - September White Wines
Dr. Carl and Chuck taste and discuss the new white wines for September Club! Continue »
Sep 14, 2020 at 8:59 AM
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Virtual Club Wine Tasting - September
Martin and Dave our GM taste and discuss the new red wines for September Club! Continue »
Sep 13, 2020 at 1:29 PM
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Y’all Come Back Now, Ya Hear?
It’s been a long six months here at 4.0, and in that time, we’ve cleaned like our lives depend on it, engaged in “wine therapy coloring,” offered online specials, rearranged furniture in our main tasting room, started Facebook Live wine and food pairings, sold lots of to-go bottles both in our tasting room and in the parking lot, cleaned some more, held three slightly-different-than-normal-but-still-fun Club Sundays, reorganized the warehouse, completed a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in one day, mulched many garden beds, reached out to some of our long-term club members, cleaned again, moved the furniture again, and waited on pins and needles for word from our governor and TABC. And this entire time, all we’ve really wanted to do is serve wine. Continue »
Sep 9, 2020 at 11:59 AM
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Wine Club Selections for Sep-2020
The 2020 Corona virus pandemic and quarantine that essentially shut down businesses, including winery tasting rooms, just seems to go ON and ON. However, there was recent progress on opening as TABC issued some new rules related to sales of food and non-wine items that would allow for modified opening of many tasting rooms. (Can you understand this – I can’t! How can a virus tell the difference between a person just tasting wine vs one who is tasting wine but also purchased food?) 4.0 Cellars has applied for an updated permit under these new rules, and some forms of “normal” operation are returning. The September, 2020, Wine Club pickup parties will be held, probably under a limited format similar to that used in June. Information about the Wine Club pickup party, and a form to make reservations should be forthcoming to Wine Club members very soon. Continue »
Sep 2, 2020 at 12:21 PM
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Virtual Tasting #3 All Reds
Caroline and Martin will guide you through three of some of our favorite red wines here at 4.0 Cellars. The Chef Amber has paired these wines with a yummy three course dinner that is VERY easy and can be prepared mostly on your grill. Continue »
Comments (2)Grab a Glass of Wine…It’s Movie Time!
There’s nothing like a good movie night, and a glass (OK, bottle…who am I kidding?) of wine makes it that much better. Read on to see the “Scoop’s” recommendations for some classic movie and wine pairings. Continue »
Aug 26, 2020 at 9:15 AM
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