Wine drinking is a tradition that has been observed throughout the generations. From ancient times to the present, it has been part of dinners, weddings, birthdays, special engagements, graduations, and many other celebrations. It has been a symbol of good times and enjoyment.
Have you ever asked yourself where does wine come from and how do they make it? In this article, we will go through the winemaking process so you can understand its production along with learning the details needed to make this revered beverage.
Stages of Wine Production
The winemaking process is both an art and science. Winemakers do everything to avoid mistakes and contamination because a little error can have a significant impact on the end product.
There are five stages in winemaking, which we go into detail below. The producers of wine make some variations to this process to help improve the quality and taste of their wines.
5 Stages of Wine Production:
Harvesting
Harvesting refers to the gathering of grapes, which are the main ingredient in the winemaking process. Winemakers should consider several critical factors when harvesting grapes. First is the period of gathering: the timing of the harvest determines the flavor, acidity, and sweetness of the wine. A winemaker ensures that the grapes have the right balance of acidity and sweetness before harvesting them.
The second factor to consider is the method of harvesting. Will they pick the fruits using a machine or by hand? Many winemakers prefer picking by hand to avoid damaging the vineyard and the grapes. After they gather the grapes, they bring them to the winery for sorting. They separate the viable grapes from the rotten and under-ripe ones.
Crushing
The next step in the winemaking process is crushing. After sorting, the workers remove the stems and crush the grapes. In the past, workers used their feet to stomp on the fruits. Now, most wineries use mechanical presses to do this. If the goal is to make white wine, the producers immediately separate the solids, seeds, and skins from the juice. If the final product is red wine, they allow the solids, coats, and seeds to remain in contact with the grape juice. This mixture will facilitate the addition of more color and flavor to the wine.
Fermentation
Fermentation is the process of producing alcohol via the addition of cultured yeast. In fermentation, the yeast converts the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol. If the intended product is a sweet wine, winemakers stop the process before the yeast converts all the sugar to alcohol. If it is a dry wine, they allow the yeast to transform all the sugar. Fermentation can take anywhere from a week to a few months.
Clarification
Clarification is the process where the wine makers separate the proteins, dead yeast, and tannins from the fluid. They use a process of filtration or fining. In fining, they add substances that facilitate the removal of unwanted components. After clarification, the workers transfer the fluid to another tank. They are now preparing for the next stage, which is aging of the wine and bottling.
Aging and Bottling
The makers either bottle the wine right after clarification or allow the wine to age. If they chose to age the wine, they will transfer the wine into stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. After aging, they will bottle the wine with a cork or screw cap.
Now you have an idea of how wine is made.
