Prelude to Wine

Question 1

What’s fermentation?

Answer 1

“Fermentation is the process by which the grape juice turns into wine”

Question 2

What is the simple formula for fermentation?

Answer 2

“Sugar + Yeast = Alcohol + Carbon Dioxide (CO2)”

Question 3

When does the fermentation process begin and end?

Answer 3

“It begins when the grapes are crushed and ends when all of the sugar has been converted to alcohol or the alcohol level has reached around 15 percent, the point at which the alcohol kills off the yeast.”

Question 4

Natural yeast appears how?

Answer 4

“as the white bloom on the grape skin”

Question 5

Why not use natural yeast?

Answer 5

“Laboratory strains of pure yeast have been isolated and may be used in many situations, each strain contributing something unique to the style of the wine.”

Question 6

What happens to the CO2

Answer 6

“carbon dioxide dissipates into the air, except in Champagne and other sparkling wines”

Question 7

What are the three major types of wine?

Answer 7

1. Table wine: approximately 8 to 15 percent alcohol
2. Sparkling wine: approximately 8 to 12 percent alcohol + CO2
3. Fortified wine: 17 to 22 percent alcohol

Question 8

What species of grapes do wines come from?

Answer 8

Vitis vinifera, which includes many different varieties of grapes—both red and white.

Vitis labrusca, which is grown widely in New York State as well as other East Coast and Midwest states.”

Question 9

Does it matter where grapes are planted?

Answer 9

“Yes, it does. Grapes are agricultural products that require specific growing conditions”

Question 10

What are some of the growing conditons for wine?

Answer 10

1. the growing season
2. the number of days of sunlight
3. angle of the sun
4. average temperature
5. rainfall
6. Soil is of primary concern, and adequate drainage is a requisite

The right amount of sun ripens the grapes properly to give them the sugar/acid balance that makes the difference between fair, good, and great wine.P.17”

Question 11

Where are the best locations to plant red grapes?

Answer 11

“Red grapes need a longer growing season than do white grapes, so red grapes are usually planted in warmer locations.

In the warmer regions of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and in California’s Napa Valley, the red grape thrives.”

Question 12

Where are the best locations to plant white grapes?

Answer 12

“in Germany and northern France, for instance— most vineyards are planted with white grapes”

Question 13

When is the harvest?

Answer 13

Grapes are picked when they reach the proper sugar/acid ratio for the style of wine the vintner wants to produce.

Question 14

What effect does weather have on the grapes?

Answer 14

“Weather can interfere with the quality of the harvest, as well as its quantity.”

Question 15

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Frost

Answer 15

1. Frost
2. Reduced Yield
3. Wind Machines, sprinkler systems, and flaming heaters

Question 16

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Not enough sun

Answer 16

1. Not enough sun
2. Underripe, green herbal, vegetal character, high acid, low sugar
3. “Chaptalization (the addition of sugar to the must—fresh grape juice—during
   fermentation)

Question 17

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Too much sun

Answer 17

1. Too much sun
2. Overripe, high-alcohol, prune character
3. Amelioration (addition of water)

Question 18

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Too much rain

Answer 18

1. Too much rain
2. Thin, watery wines
3. Move vineyard to a drier climate

Question 19

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Mildew

Answer 19

1. Mildew
2. Rot
3. Spraw with copper sulfate

Question 20

1. Weather Problem
2. Results In
3. Some Solutions

Drought

Answer 20

1. Drought
2. Scorched Grapes
3. Irrigate or pray for rain

Question 21

What is phylloxera?

Answer 21

“a grape louse, is one of the grapevine’s worst enemies, because it eventually kills the entire plan”

Question 22

Can white wine be made from red grapes?

Answer 22

Yes. The color of wine comes entirely from the grape skins.

By removing the skins immediately after picking, no color is imparted to the wine, and it will be white. In the Champagne region of France, a large percentage of the grapes grown are red, yet most of the resulting wine is white. California’s White Zinfandel is made from red Zinfandel grapes.

Question 23

What is tannin, and is it desirable in wine?

Answer 23

Tannin is a natural preservative and is one of the many components that give wine its longevity.

It comes from skins, pits, and stems of the grapes. Another source of tannin is wood, such as the French oak barrels in which some wines are aged or fermented. Generally, red wines have a higher level of tannin than whites because red grapes are usually left to ferment with their skins.

Question 24

Describe Tannin

Answer 24

Tannin is not a taste, however—it’s a tactile sensation.

“A word used to describe the sensation of tannins is “astringent.”

Especially in young wines, tannin can be very astringent and make the wine taste bitter.

Question 25

Is acidity desirable in wine?

Answer 25

Winemakers try to have a balance of fruit and acid. An overly acidic wine is also described as tart or sour.

Question 26

What is meant by “vintage”? Why is one year considered better than another?

Answer 26

A vintage indicates the year the grapes were harvested, so every year is a vintage year.

A vintage chart reflects the weather conditions for various years.
Better weather usually results in a better rating for the vintage, and therefore a higher likelihood that the wine will age well.

Question 27

Are all wines meant to be aged?

Answer 27

No. It’s a common misconception that all wines improve with age.

• In fact, more than 90 percent of all the wines made in the world should be consumed within one year, and less than 1 percent of the world’s wines should be aged for more than five years.*
• Wines change with age. Some get better, but most do not. The good news is that the 1 percent represents more than 350 million bottles of wine every vintage.*

Question 28

Why do red wines age better then white wines?

Answer 28

Because of their tannin content (a natural preservative).

Cabs have more tannin the pinot noir. Cabs age better the pinot noir.

Question 29

How does the vintage effect aging and wine?

Answer 29

The better the weather conditions in one year, the more likely the lines from that vintage will have a better balance of fruits, acids, and tannins, and therefore have potential dates longer.

Question 30

How does the vinification affect the aging of wine?

Answer 30

The longer the wine remains in contact with the skins during fermentation, and if it’s fermented in an Oak barrel, more of the natural preservative “tannin” it will have, which can help at age longer.

Question 31

How was wine production regulated worldwide?

Answer 31

“Each major wine-producing country has government-sponsored control agencies and laws that regulate all aspects of wine production and set certain minimum standards that must be observed. ”

Question 32

What is the french control agency that regulates wine?

Answer 32

Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC)

Question 33

What is the Italian control agency that regulates wine?

Answer 33

“Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)”

Question 34

What is the US control agency that regulates wine?

Answer 34

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Question 35

What is the German control agency that regulates wine?

Answer 35

Ministry of Agriculture

Question 36

What is the Spanish control agency that regulates wine?

Answer 36

“Denominación de Origen (DO)”