Another newbie

[MikeF]

I was directed to this site from a post on Robin Garr's Food Lover's Discussion Group. This looks to be a great place to learn about pro-level techniques and equipment!

I'm a chemist by profession, but I love to cook and eat good food. I also do a bit of home winemaking. My wife is a good cook and a very good (although non-professional) baker. Since we have a couple of kids and full-time jobs, cooking is about the only hobby we really have any time for. We're in the preliminary stages of re-doing our kitchen, so you can all probably look forward to all kinds of questions from me regarding this process (although I'll try to check previous posts to avoid re-hashing old issues).

I very much look forward to lurking around here and participating, whenever possible, in the discussions.


Mike Filigenzi, Sacramento, CA.

[Jim]

Mike,
Welcome to crew!! Tell us about that homemade wine making!
Glad to have you aboard,
Jim

[Mezzaluna]

Nice to meet you, Mike! You sound like the kind of person who'll like it here. You're right, we have many friendly people here with an unbelievable array of skills and interests. I haven't heard of anyone making their own wine yet, but there are plenty of wine-lovers, and a forum just for that.

Please feel free to tell us more about yourself here in the Welcome Forum if you like. Then check out the other forums, the archives, and articles. Use the search function to find topics of special interest.

We hope you enjoy yourself, and look forward to your posts.

Mezzaluna, moderator
Welcome Forum

[MikeF]

(Hope I'm getting the "Reply" thing right!)

I do the winemaking thing with a group of 6 other guys. We get grapes from a variety of sources and made about 150 cases from the 2002 vintage (our fourth). The Mondavis and Pahlmeyers of the world have nothing to fear from us, but we've managed to make mostly decent wines and won a few minor awards at the Cal State Fair. Mostly, it's a learning experience and we've been very successful from that angle!

Mike

[Isa]

Welcome to Chef Talk Mike!


Wait till I tell my dad there is someone who also makes wine here, he'll be thrill!


Have you ever made wine from the kits you find in stores?

[MikeF]

Hi Isa -

As of now, we haven't made any kit wines, although I understand that you can get some good results from them. If your dad has any recommendations, I'd be interested.

Are you an "Isa bella"? I ask because my 4-year-old is named Isabella. I think she's the most adventurous eater I've run across!

Mike

[cape chef]

Welcome Mike

[Isa]

Your best bet would be to buy Italian wine kits, something like Chianti or Valpolicella. My father prefers the kits that do not require yeast. I think it is called must.

If you want more information let me know, I'll ask him again.




P.S. It's actually Isabelle