How to make wine from wine grapes
Wine grapes are the core raw material for making wine. Their variety, maturity and processing methods directly affect the flavor and quality of wine. This article will introduce in detail the complete brewing process from grapes to wine, and combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to present you the latest winemaking trends and technologies.
1. Selection of wine grape varieties
There are many varieties of wine grapes, and different varieties are suitable for making different types of wine. The following are recent popular wine grape varieties and their characteristics:
| Grape varieties | Suitable for alcohol | Flavor characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | dry red wine | Rich tannins with notes of blackcurrant and spice |
| Chardonnay | dry white wine | Fruity, buttery or mineral flavors |
| Pinot Noir | dry red wine | Soft tannins with strawberry and cherry aromas |
| Riesling | sweet white wine | High acidity with citrus and floral aromas |
2. Harvesting and processing of wine grapes
The timing of grape harvest is crucial, and the balance of sugar, acidity and phenolics determines the quality of the wine. The following are harvest indicators that winemakers are paying attention to recently:
| indicator | ideal range | Measurement method |
|---|---|---|
| Brix | 20-25° | Refractometer |
| pH value | 3.2-3.8 | pH meter |
| Total acid (TA) | 6-9g/L | Titration |
After harvest, the grapes need to be strictly screened to remove moldy fruits and impurities. The recently discussed "organic brewing" trend emphasizes reducing the use of sulfides and adopting natural fermentation methods.
3. Wine fermentation process
Fermentation is the core part of winemaking, with yeast converting the sugar in the grapes into alcohol. The following is a comparison of traditional and modern fermentation processes:
| Process type | temperature control | fermentation time | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| traditional fermentation | 18-22℃(white) 25-30℃(red) | 7-14 days | Complex flavor but prone to oxidation |
| Modern temperature controlled fermentation | Accurate ±0.5℃ | 10-21 days | Stable quality and high efficiency |
| natural fermentation | ambient temperature | 14-30 days | Unique flavor, higher risk |
4. Aging and Maturation
After fermentation is complete, the wine needs to be aged to reach its optimal state. Popular discussions recently focus on the impact of different containers on flavor:
| Container type | Use ratio | Influence characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| French oak barrel | 60% | Brings vanilla, toasty notes |
| American oak barrel | 25% | Gives coconut, sweet spice flavor |
| stainless steel tank | 15% | Keep the fruity aroma pure |
5. Recent hot trends in the brewing industry
1.Sustainable winemaking: Reducing water consumption and carbon emissions has become the focus of the industry, and many wineries have obtained organic certification.
2.Technology application: AI technology is used to predict the best harvest time, and IoT devices monitor the fermentation process.
3.The rise of niche varieties: Such as Portugal's Touriga Nacional and Greece's Assyrtiko have attracted attention.
4.low alcohol wine: To meet health needs, the production of wines with alcohol content below 12% will be increased by 30%.
5.orange wine craze: "Orange wine" made from white grape skins fermented is popular among young consumers.
6. Tips for home brewing
For those who want to try home brewing, professionals offer the following advice:
| steps | Things to note |
|---|---|
| Raw material selection | Choose ripe, disease-free grapes and avoid table grapes |
| Container sterilization | All utensils must be strictly disinfected to prevent bacterial contamination |
| temperature control | Maintain a stable temperature and avoid drastic fluctuations |
| Aging time | At least 3 months, longer for red wine |
Winemaking is a combination of art and science. As technology develops and consumer demands change, brewing techniques are constantly innovating. Whether you are a large winery or a home brewing enthusiast, you need to master grape characteristics, fermentation principles and aging techniques in order to brew delicious wine.
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