Winemaker Fred Scherrer talks about learning to trust his palate in the winery and make decisions based on taste. Fred makes wine at the Scherrer Winery in the Russian River Valley.
Author: Judi Scherrer
Winemaking 101: Pre and post fermentation “soak”
Winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery discusses pre and post fermentation “soaks”, or the time that the grapes are left in contact with the juice, and the effect of each process on the final wine. Along the way, he compares cold-soaks in warmer and cooler climates.
Winemaking 101: American and French Oak Barrels
Does American Oak get a bad rap? Winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery talks about the use of American oak barrels. Fred provides an interesting historical perspective thanks to some input from Sean Thackery.
Can I blend Syrah and Pinot Noir?
Jessica Bell of the Midwest Wine School discusses how and when Pinot Noir is blended with winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery.
Do all red wines have to go through malolactic fermentation?
Does all red wine have to go through malolactic fermentation? Fred Scherrer explains how malolactic fermentation happens in Pinot Noir and how it can be difficult to achieve in Chardonnay. Fred also talks about advice he was given by legendary wine consultant, Andre Tchelistcheff on starting malolactic fermentation.
Are wood barrels certified organic?
Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery hazards a guess as to whether the wood barrels used to make organic wines are certified or not, and suggests that Mel Knox might know more.
Winemaking 101: Grape tannins
Winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery discusses the maturation of grape tannins inside wine grapes and talks about what he looks for in terms of taste as he decides to pick.
pH and Acidity in wine
Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery answers a question about how acidity helps to preserve wines as they age and a lengthy discussion of wine chemistry ensues.
Winemaking 101: Yeast strains, fermentation and flavors
Fred Scherrer discusses the affect of different yeast strains on fermentation and the flavor of wine.
Can I age Zinfandel wine?
Winemaker Fred Scherrer discusses the perception that Zinfandel does not age as well as other red wine varieties. What he fails to mention in the video is that his Old and Mature Vine Zin often shows beautifully at 10 years of age.