Wine Making - Fermentation

Ahhh, fermentation - this is the phase in the winemaking process that really gets wine going on its path to its ultimate destination ... the bottle! It is during fermentation that the grape's sugars are converted to alcohol (specifically ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide, along with a good bit of residual heat that needs to be monitored to prevent distortion of flavors. The process of red wine fermentation typically takes place in stainless steel tanks, large vats or oak barrels. Maceration is basically the contact phase - where the must and the grape skins have maximum contact to produce good red wine color, structural tannins and extensive flavor components and nuances. The more the red wine grapes are in contact with their grape skins, the "bigger" the wine will likely be.

White wine fermentation often takes place in stainless steel tanks with lower heat levels that are closely monitored and the oxygen levels strictly guarded (to prevent rapid oxidation). Chardonnay is one exception, some winemakers prefer to hold the Chardonnay juice in sealed oak barrels for fermentation to influence flavor development.

If during the fermentation process the grapes were not quite ripe enough, sugar may be added to the must to increase alcohol levels in the final product, this addition is referred to as "enrichment". Likewise, acid can also be added to the must if the acidity is low, this is understandably referred to as "acidification." Also with white wine fermentation an additional step referred to as "stirring the lees" is added. This step involves mixing up the residual yeast that is left post fermentation to yield more flavors.

There is another type of fermentation called Malolactic Fermentation.

Malolactic fermentation is a process in which lactic acid bacteria converts the harsher malic acids (think green apple pucker) in the juice into lactic acid (think creamy milk) to produce a softer mouth feel and overall a more inviting palate presence. Most red wines go through malolactic fermentation to reduce their acidity and some fuller bodied white wines are sent through malolactic fermentation (usually in the barrel) to mellow them out a bit more.

Making Wine - Crushing and De-stemming

The second step in wine making series is Crushing and De-stemming the grapes.

After the grapes have been harvested it is often a mad dash to get them crushed and destemmed. The objective of crushing is not necessarily to squeeze all of the juice out of the grape, but to split the external skin and allow the juice to start its run, giving the sugar from the juice its first chance to mingle with the natural yeast found on the grape's skin. It's the combination of yeast and sugar that produces the wine's alcohol, via the yeast converting the sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxide. The "crush" happens in one of two ways - again by mechanical means with a heavy spiraled steel roller or the more traditional approach that you see in all of the fun Italian wine-themed movies - the famous grape "stomp."

At this point the grape stems are separated from the juice, or "must" as it is referred to at this phase in the game. This is also the juncture where red wine grapes and white wine grapes take different paths. If a wine is destined to be a red wine then the grape skins (not the juice, which is virtually clear) that provide the color characteristics and the tannin contributions for a red wine. However, if the goal is a white wine, then the grape skins are removed along with the stems at this phase of the process and the grapes are pressed prior to fermentation.

Pressing The Grapes

Pressing, usually done right after the crush for white grapes and after fermentation for red wine grapes, is basically taking the sticky grape solids left from either the crush or fermentation and squeezing them to get a very thick liquid that can be used to enhance both color and flavor of the presumptive wine to be.

Stay tuned for our next posting on Wine Fermentation.

Ever wonder how wine is made?

You enjoy that bottle of wine, but have you ever wondered what goes into making it?

There are many steps in the wine making process. They are: harvesting; crushing and destemming; fermentation; malolactic fermenation; maturation of wine; fining and filtration; blending and bottling. I will discuss each step in deteail over a series of blog posts to help educate our readers on the process that goes into making that great bottle of wine that you so enjoy!

The First Step: The Wine Harvest

The vineyards are a critical determinant in the end product wines for each and every vintage. Vineyards are like the wine's bassinets, where early grapelife begins and flourishes, for all wine is truly birthed on the vine. The vineyard's location, climate, terrain, soils, vines and rootstocks, irrigation systems and pest management controls all factor into the final product in one way or another. Sun exposure and time on the vine both play a key role in the grape's development and specific sugar levels.

Winemaking commences with the annual grape harvest and can be accomplished by either mechanical harvesting equipment (usually easiest for vineyards that lie on relatively flat land) or hand harvesting. Hand-harvesting affords more precise selection and often does a better job of protecting the grape’s juice content from oxidation due to damaged skins. Mechanical harvesters offer a more efficient, often cost-effective, process and are well-suited for large vineyards that lay on a flat patch of earth. The type of harvest - hand-picking, mechanical harvesters or a combination of the two, is largely influenced by the winemaker’s final wine style goals as well as budget.


Stay tuned for our next posting which will talk about Crushing and Destemming.

Ways to enjoy wine on a budget

With the economy in a slump, wine enthusiasts are looking for ways to enjoy a bottle of wine without breaking the bank. If you are searching for a nice bottle of wine on a budget, Steve Thomas has a great blog that spotlights various varietals that he recommends to satisfy your palate. Check his blog out at http://goodcheapwineguide.com/. There are many good wines out there for under $10 a bottle.

If you are a hands on kind of person, you may want to consider "making your own batch of wine" which can be another affordable option. I have seen a hugh increase with customers making their own wines over the past couple of months. More and more customers are taking up wine making as a hobby. Some go to wine making supply stores to buy their juice and equipment and make their wine at home. Home wine makers tend to have higher up front costs initially to purchase the necessary equipment, but if they continue to enjoy making wine over time, this method becomes very cost efficient. Google search "wine making supplies" and you will not fall short of options. Others find local custom wineries where they can go to make their wine. They do not have to purchase the equipment but rather use the stores equipment. This is a great option if you want to keep your kitchen clean. Customers will usually pay a fixed price which includes the juice, the bottles, the corks, the labels, the use of the equipment, etc to produce a finished product. These types of businesses are what we call "Wine on Premise" operations. Wine Necessities, Vintners Cellars, Wine Not, D'Vine Wines and others are custom wineries where customers can make their own personalized wines on-site. One of the benefit is you can taste the wines before you make them to find one you like. You will usually pay a per "batch" price which should include all of your supplies. Be careful to ask the store owner if labels are included in the price as I have seen some businesses charge an additional fee for personalized labels. Depending on what part of the country you live in, pricing will range.

Here in the St. Louis area, you can make your own batch of wine for a little as $8.40 a bottle. Different varietal types will have different pricing. I always tell people that you will have "bragging rights" when making your own wine. There is nothing like taking a personalized bottle of wine to a dinner party and having everyone enjoy YOUR wine. This is why I started making wine as a hobby over 6 years ago, and now I own a business teaching others.

What ever your pleasure, just know you have options. Finding a good quality wine that is pleasing to your palate and is within your budget can definately be a journey...so enjoy your journey and have fun exploring!