D1-VINI Quiz on Identifying Winemaking Options

Question 1

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Oxygen

Answer 1

Minimal oxygen to preserve the aromatics of the grape and to keep the fruits flavours fresh.

Question 2

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Sulphur Dioxide

Answer 2

Added at picking to protect from oxidation and colour degradation

Question 3

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Transportation to winery

Answer 3

If picked by machine, at night to ensure the grapes are kept cool, avoiding oxidation and microbial spoilage.

Question 4

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Grape reception

Answer 4

Straight to press, limited or no sorting, no skin contact to keep costs down.

Question 5

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Pressing

Answer 5

Pneumatic press to reduce oxidation, quick and efficient press that can manage large loads.

Question 6

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Must adjustments

Answer 6

Acidification with the addition of tartaric acid may be required. Clarification of the juice by flotation and the use of fining agents for speed and to obtain a clear juice with low solids.

Question 7

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Fermentation vessel

Answer 7

Stainless steel as it can hold large volumes and temperature can be easily managed.

Question 8

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Fermentation temperature

Answer 8

Temperatures kept relatively low, 12-16ºC

Question 9

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Inoculated or ambient yeast

Answer 9

Cultured yeast for reliability and consistency of style

Question 10

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Maturation

Answer 10

Stainless steel to retain aromatics and freshness.

Question 11

A winemaker is wanting to make an inexpensive, high volume South African Chenin Blanc. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Blending options

Answer 11

With other wines to maximise volume, could include up to 15% of a cheaper variety e.g. Colombard which also has high acidity.

Question 12

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Oxygen

Answer 12

Oxygen may be excluded but for some Viognier, skin contact is carried out under cool temperatures for a short period of time. This technique maximises flavour extraction for aromatic grape varieties like Viognier and the grapes will have a level of contact with oxygen. - This process will depend on producers.

Question 13

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Sulphur dioxide

Answer 13

A level of sulphur dioxide might be added to protect against microbial spoilage and oxidation.

Question 14

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Transportation to winery

Answer 14

In small crates to limit damage from crushing and releasing juice prematurely which can lead to microbial spoilage and oxidation.

Question 15

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Grape reception

Answer 15

Sorting will be carried out to remove any diseased or under ripe grapes. Only the highest quality fruit will be used for this wine style.

Question 16

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Pressing

Answer 16

The type of press will depend on producer but could be pneumatic press or basket press - they are gentle with low extraction of phenolics which, depending on vintage, need to be managed carefully with Viognier.

Question 17

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Must adjustments

Answer 17

This variety generally achieves naturally high sugars in the vineyard so will most likely not need any chaptalisation. Acidity may be an issue as this grape variety loses acidity quickly, adjustment might be considered in certain vintages

Question 18

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Fermentation vessel

Answer 18

Oak barriques are an option for integrated oak flavours in the wine. Stainless steel for retaining fruit flavours. Often a combination of both and blended later on.

Question 19

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Fermentation temperature

Answer 19

Typically cooler, i.e approximately 15°C

Question 20

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Inoculated or ambient yeast

Answer 20

This will depend on producer - ambient will have a range of yeast species that may be considered more representative of the ‘terroir’. Cultured yeast are reliable and can manage potential high alcohol ferments like Viognier and ferment to dryness.

Question 21

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Maturation

Answer 21

New oak barrels to add to the aromas and flavours of the wine, while a low level of oxidation happens. Large neutral containers might be considered to allow an integration of aromas. Maturation naturally clarifies wine over a period of time.

Question 22

A winemaker is wanting to make a premium Condrieu with minimal winemaking intervention. Explain how the general winemaking considerations may be manipulated to influence the style, quality and price of the final wine:

Blending options

Answer 22

Different vineyard parcels, different treatments in the cellar and/or maturation in different vessels could all contribute to a blend.