Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is melomel?
A: Technically, it is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting the juice of any fruit with honey. More specific terms exist when a particular fruit is used; in the case of grapes, the drink is sometimes known as pyment.
A: Technically, it is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting the juice of any fruit with honey. More specific terms exist when a particular fruit is used; in the case of grapes, the drink is sometimes known as pyment.
2. Is honey commonly used as a sweetener in wine?
A: Firstly, we don't use honey purely as a sweetener. Sweeteners are added to wine after fermentation has taken place, but we mix grape juice with honey from the outset. The yeast is then free to convert sugars found in the honey to alcohol.
To answer the question though, no. We like the honey because it adds a rich mouthfeel to Melomel. This is in part due to the multiple sugar composition of glucose, fructose, pentose, galactose, maltose, etc.
A: Firstly, we don't use honey purely as a sweetener. Sweeteners are added to wine after fermentation has taken place, but we mix grape juice with honey from the outset. The yeast is then free to convert sugars found in the honey to alcohol.
To answer the question though, no. We like the honey because it adds a rich mouthfeel to Melomel. This is in part due to the multiple sugar composition of glucose, fructose, pentose, galactose, maltose, etc.
3. Some of your wines have plant names, do you use these plants in production?
A: No. Names are chosen based on the colour and character of each wine. This was done to promote a connection to our greenhouse business.
A: No. Names are chosen based on the colour and character of each wine. This was done to promote a connection to our greenhouse business.
4. Why does my wine look cloudy (or have sediment at the bottom of the bottle)?
A: Heavy proteins, complex carbohydrates, and acid crystals can be responsible for sediment. We rely mainly on multiple wine rackings (transferring wine from one barrel to another to gain clarity) rather than filtration, and this leaves more chance for precipitation after bottling. Fortunately, it also leaves more flavour and colour in the finished product.
A: Heavy proteins, complex carbohydrates, and acid crystals can be responsible for sediment. We rely mainly on multiple wine rackings (transferring wine from one barrel to another to gain clarity) rather than filtration, and this leaves more chance for precipitation after bottling. Fortunately, it also leaves more flavour and colour in the finished product.
5. The bottle says "CONTAINS SULFITES", didn't you say there weren't any in your wine?
A: Grape skins contain some natural sulfites - this is what you'll find in Melomel. The key factor is that we don't add any sulfites.
Nearly all commercial wineries add sulfites to their wines, generally around 10X the amount found on grapes. Many people are mildly allergic to sulfites and receive a headache when exposed to high concentrations. So, if you're sensitive to sulfites or just like avoiding artificial food additives, Melomel might be up your alley.
A: Grape skins contain some natural sulfites - this is what you'll find in Melomel. The key factor is that we don't add any sulfites.
Nearly all commercial wineries add sulfites to their wines, generally around 10X the amount found on grapes. Many people are mildly allergic to sulfites and receive a headache when exposed to high concentrations. So, if you're sensitive to sulfites or just like avoiding artificial food additives, Melomel might be up your alley.
6. Do you have a vineyard?
A: Yes, but most of our grapes come from Erie, PA. Our own production has been severely limited due to the deleterious effects of longwall coal mining.
A: Yes, but most of our grapes come from Erie, PA. Our own production has been severely limited due to the deleterious effects of longwall coal mining.
7. Do you sell mead?
A: Mead, in the traditional sense, is made strictly with honey and water. We don't produce mead for commercial sale at the moment.
A: Mead, in the traditional sense, is made strictly with honey and water. We don't produce mead for commercial sale at the moment.