Pressing Grapes

Question 1

What does whole bunch pressing achieve with white wines?

Answer 1

• reduces oxidation (especially is used with inert gases)
  -one of gentlest forms of pressing
• stems help break up mass of grape skins- stems provide drainage
• can hand harvest.
• takes up room in press, fewer grapes added each cycle= prem wines.

Question 1

What is free run juice and what is it’s characteristics?

Answer 1

Juice that is drained off destemmed and crushes grapes.
Lowest in solids, tannin, colour
Lower in PH and higher in acidity
Can be used to make light bodied wines
However reduces final volume

Question 2

What is press juice?

Answer 2

Juice that runs off the pressing.
At the start, similar to free run juice, the more presses= more pressure applied= more solids, tannins, colour extraction.
Lower acidity and less sugar than free run juice.