Wine, a product of natural fermentation led by yeast, is shaped by human intervention, influencing its fermentation process and the resulting styles. It encompasses a spectrum of colors and flavors—sparkling, effervescent, dry, sweet, and fortified.
White Wine Making Process
The journey to craft white wine starts with the arrival of grapes at the winery. Grapes, either individual berries or whole clusters, are shielded from air exposure to protect delicate flavors. Sorting tables may eliminate inferior berries before crushing. The destemmed berries head to the press where extraction occurs. Fermentation, driven by yeast, transforms sugar into alcohol. Post-fermentation, wines undergo filtration, stabilization, and aging in various vessels.
Red Wine and Rosé
Red wines and rosés share production similarities but differ in skin contact duration. Pigments in grape skin determine color, with some varieties possessing pigmented pulp. Hence, red grape varieties can produce white, rosé, or red wines. Achieving white wine from blue grapes involves gentle pressing and avoiding skin contact. Rosé requires hours of skin contact, while red wines need days. Wood contact duration varies between reds and whites.
Sparkling Wines
Effervescent wines, differentiated by CO2 presence, are produced via several methods. The simplest involves carbonation similar to sodas, while others capture CO2 from fermentation. Traditional methods transform still wine into sparkling within the same bottle, creating complex textures. Charmat method ferments wines in tanks, retaining CO2, like prosecco. Pét-nat wines capture natural effervescence, and Moscato d’Asti falls within this category.
Fortified Wines
Fortified wines involve adding spirits during or post-fermentation, preserving wines and altering sweetness levels. Sherry and port, common examples, vary in color and sweetness. Sherry is fortified post-fermentation, while port is fortified during fermentation, resulting in varied sweetness levels.
Understanding wine’s diverse styles, shaped by grape varieties and winemaking techniques, offers a rich tapestry of flavours and experiences for enthusiasts to explore.
