D12: Approaches to Winemaking

Question 1

Name the different types of winemaking

Answer 1

Conventional, Modern
Organic
Biodynamic
Natural

Question 2

What is the aim of conventional winemaking?

Answer 2

To produce stable wine which shows fruit characteristics and has no faults

Can be used for any quality, style, price

Question 3

When would you not use conventional winemaking?

Answer 3

Will depend on what the final intended style is;
the quality of the fruit;
preferences of the winemaker

EXAMPLE: may not like filtration as believes it removes texture and flavour from the wine

Question 4

Temperature control in conventional winemaking

Answer 4

1) can do cold soaking
2) can control temperatures with a particular outcome in mind
3) can do temperature controlled maturation

Question 5

Use of additives or processing aids in conventional winemaking

Answer 5

1) can add SUGAR to increase sweetness or alcohol
2) can add SO2 to protect wine
3) can use cultured yeasts
4) can use fining agents

Question 6

What manipulations can be undertaken in conventional winemaking?

Answer 6

• pressing
• filtration
• use of technology (e.g. reverse osmosis)

Question 7

What is Organic Winemaking

Answer 7

• making wine with certified organically-grown grapes
• comply with rules that restrict certain practices being performed in winemaking process
• allowed cultured yeasts, yeast nutrients, adding tannins

Question 8

What is the certification agency for organic winemaking?

Answer 8

ECCOCERT

Question 9

What does ECCOCERT do?

Answer 9

• certification agency for organic wines
• publishes lists of allowable additives and processes,
• says where organic raw materials should be used (e.g. organic egg whites for fining)
• has list of what can’t be done (e.g. partial dealcoholisation of wines)

Question 10

What are the USA rules around SO2 in organic winemaking?

Answer 10

• cannot use SO2 in organic winemaking
• naturally occurring SO2 has to be less than 10mg/L
• there is a category of USA wine which is ‘wine made from organic grapes’ which does allow the use of additional SO2

Question 11

Can you use SO2 in organic winemaking in the EU?

Answer 11

Yes it does allow for regulated amounts to be used but tightly controlled

Question 12

Certified Organic Status worldwide

Answer 12

• very specific by country or regulated area
• has a small additional cost but is market specific as to whether consumers would be willing to pay additional money for it

Question 13

What is biodynamic winemaking?

Answer 13

wine made from certified biodynamically grown grapes

Question 14

What is the main certifying association?

Answer 14

DEMETER INTERNATIONAL

• certifiers in each country determine specifications

Question 15

What is the difference between the UK and USA when it comes to biodynamic winemaking?

Answer 15

UK: Natural yeast is encouraged but organic or commercial yeast can be used

USA: natural yeast MUST be used, but certain commercial yeast can be used if ferment is stuck, and can only be used on case-by-case basis

Question 16

What is natural winemaking?

Answer 16

• no agreed definition of natural wine, but mainly refers to wine made with:
  1) fewest possible manipulations,
  2) fermented with ambient yeast,
  3) min SO2 added or with no added SO2
• made from conventional or sustainably grown grapes, but many argue should be made with organic or biodynamic grapes

Question 17

What is a risk associated with natural winemaking?

Answer 17

• no certifying body so any winery can claim their wines are natural
• some associations publish their approaches/standards: ViniVeri (Italy), L’Association des Vins Naturels (France)

Question 18

What are the arguments in favour and against natural winemaking?

Answer 18

• winemakers claim wines are more expressive of terroir than those made conventionally
• others feel that some interventions or additions of SO2 ensure wines show best
• negligible impact on price, tend to be small batch wine-making, mid-to prem price