April 2010
Toasting Times
a periodic bulletin for Grape Groupies & Beer Buddies
For Your Information:
Color & Tannin In Red Wines
April “Wine Kit” Specials
(while supplies last)
4-week
What is it?
During the aging process, some red wines may
deposit a thin dusting of solid precipitate (sediment)
on the inside surfaces of the wine bottle.
Where does it come from?
Contrary to what some people may think, this
precipitate ( sediment) is not the result of poor
filtration, spoilage, re-fermentation of the wine, or
any sort of winemaking faults. It is a result of the
natural aging process. The same process that makes
wine smoother with age causes the precipitate.
Tannins, compounds that make some red wines
taste astringent in their youth, combine with
natural pigments in the wine and precipitate out of
the wine as a solid. As the tannins precipitate, the
red wine becomes smoother.
Does the precipitation adversely affect
the quality of the wine?
No. The precipitation is not a defect in the wine.
The wine actually improves and becomes smoother
as a result of the precipitation. The wine will remain
clear as long as the bottle is not shaken excessively.
Continuued on the next page
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Cellar Craft
Cellar Craft
Cellar Craft
Grand Cru
Grand Cru
Vino Del Vida
5-week
Cellar Craft
Grand Cru
6-week
Cru Select
Cellar Craft
Cellar Craft
Cellar Craft
Rio Negro
Merlot
Chaton Blanc
Barolo
Verdicchio
Johannisberg Riesling
$59.99
$59.99
$55.99
$59.99
$42.99
$39.99
Grenache Syrah Mouverdre $84.99
(Fermented on the Skins)
B.C. Pinot Noir
$55.99
German Gewurztraminer
Shiraz
White Merlot
Piesporter
$79.99
$92.99
$98.99
$92.99
Yakima Syrah
(Fermented on the Skins)
Cellar Classic Rosso Grande Eccelente
(Fermented on the Skins)
En Primeur Australian Shiraz
(Fermented on the Skins)
$121.99
8-week
Cellar Craft
GRAPE
EXPECTATIONS
#10-2663 Kilpatrick Avenue Courtenay 250-334-8808 www.GrapeGroupies.ca
$95.99
$99.99
Toasting Times
a periodic bulletin for Grape Groupies & Beer Buddies
Continuued from the previous page
Featured Item
Are some red wines more likely to
develop precipitate than others?
Niagara Mist is the most
popular of the “Mist” wines
on the market. On Sale Now!
Although any red wine can precipitate tannins, in
general, the fuller bodied, darker colored, more
age-worthy wines will precipitate more than lighter,
younger-drinking reds. Usually, higher quality
wines will be more prone to throwing a precipitate.

Make some now for summer
sipping on the deck, patio,
whatever!
What can be done to prevent this
precipitation?
Commercial wineries tend to hold their wines
in bulk and at refrigeration temperatures for at
least a year, allowing much of the precipitation to
take place before bottling. This is the only good
preventative measure for bottle dusting. Filtration,
fining and other treatments will not prevent the
precipitate from forming.
Specialty
Cellar Craft Porto Corinto
Strong and sweet. Infused
with the flavor of black
currents. Makes 11.5 liters.
Make some NOW for
Christmas!
What is the best method of serving this
wine?
Usually, the precipitate will adhere to the inside
surfaces of the bottle, and the wine can be
safely poured into glasses. If there is a heavy
precipitate, decanting the wine prior to serving is
recommended. We have decanters!

This Newsletter Is For The Birds
Website Alert!
Tons of info. on our revised
website. Check it out!
We want to know if you’re reading this newsletter, so here’s some incentive!
Mention this newsletter when you make your purchase of any wine or beer kits in
April. Some know that a favorite non-profit of Grape Expectations is the Mountainaire Avian Rescue
Society (MARS) (www.Wingbeats.info), which does phenomenal work to rehabilitate injured or sick
feathered friends. In honor of spring, we are proud to donate a percentage of every wine kit or beer kit
we sell during the month of April to MARS. Help us help our feathered friends …buy an extra kit or two
as you plan for those summer picnics and shakers that are just around the corner!
GRAPE
EXPECTATIONS
250-334-8808 www.GrapeGroupies.ca
#10-2663 Kilpatrick Avenue Courtenay