C9 - Red and Rose Winemaking /checked Flashcards
Name the 2 main methods to handle the fruit before fermentation.
- Crushed Fruit Fermentation (majority is Destemmed)
2. Whole Bunch Fermentation
What do some red winemakers do after crushing?
Leave the grapes to macerate for a period of a low temperature
What is the name of the process of skin contact after crushing, before fermentation is started?
Cold Maceration/Cold Soaking
What is the purpose of Cold Maceration/Cold Soaking?
To extract colour and flavour compounds
Tannins are more soluble in alcohol and therefore not readily extracted at this point
Between what temperatures does red wine fermentation usually occur?
20C - 32C (depending on style)
Why are the temperatures of fermentation higher for red wine than for white?
To aid extraction of colour, flavour and tannin
Beyond what temperature should red wine fermentation not go?
Why?
35C
This may kill the yeast
How may a red winemaker influence the amounts of colour, flavour and tannin extracted during fermentation?
By precise TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Describe how tannin levels may be reduced in red wines
By reducing the temperature near the end of fermentation
What is the mass of pulp and skins called, that forms on a fermenting red wine?
The CAP
What will be the result if the cap is left to float on a wine?
LITTLE EXTRACTION of colour, flavour or tannin.
Name 4 techniques to manage the cap (and therefor extraction)
- Punching Down
- Pumping Over
- Rack and Return
- Rotary Fermenters
What was the big problem with the traditional method of punching-down?
CO2 intoxication of workers
Which cap management technique is particularly effective at extracting colour and tannin?
Punching down
What is the potential problem when punching down, mechanical or otherwise?
When is it most important to consider this/why?
It can be too effective at extracting colour and tannin
At the end of fermentation because due to the increasing alcohol, tannins are more easily extracted at this point
What is pumping over?
It involved drawing off juice from the bottom of the vat and pumping it onto the top of the fermenting wine
What is pumping over particularly good at?
It is a good way of OXYGENATING the juice and DISSIPATING HEAT
Describe Rack and Return
The fermenting juice is drained from the vessel into another one, leaving the cap behind
The juice is then pumped back over the cap
What is the big disadvantage of Rack and Return? How is this managed?
It can be very extractive
It is only performed once or twice during a fermentation
What is Rack and Return particularly good at?
Dissipating heat
Describe Rotary Fermentation
Fermentation takes place in ROTATING HORIZONTAL TANKS
What is the intention of Rotary Fermentation?
To keep the juice in constant contact with the skins
What effect does cap management techniques have on the characteristics of the fermentation vessel that’s used? (2)
- Usually large
2. Often open-topped
What kind of vessel should NOT be used for fermenting red wines?
Why?
Oak Barrels (e.g. barrique)
It would be almost impossible to maintain sufficient contact between the skins and the juice